Is the democratic system still serving Americans the way it promised to nearly 250 years ago?

On Wednesday, October 22, the Kettering Foundation and Gallup hosted an event, Is Democracy Working?, at Gallup headquarters in Washington, DC. As partisan divides deepen and trust in institutions declines, this conversation examined whether Americans truly feel that democracy is serving their individual and community needs today.

Drawing on findings from the new Democracy for All Project, developed by the Kettering Foundation and Gallup, the session explored how perceptions of democracy are shaped by the fulfillment of—or failure to deliver on—people’s aspirations and basic needs. The research measures Americans’ relationship with democracy across four pillars: commitment, participation, representation, and institutions. It reveals this crucial insight: People’s ability to engage meaningfully in democracy is closely tied to how well their physical, emotional, and financial needs are being met.

For many Americans—especially those who are underrepresented, struggling financially, or disconnected from community life—democracy can feel distant, dysfunctional, or even exclusionary.

The speakers considered the following questions:

• Why do some communities feel more excluded from democratic participation than others?
• How might unmet needs like loneliness, economic insecurity, and unsafe neighborhoods weaken democratic connection?
• What does it mean to build a democracy where all people feel valued, heard, and empowered?

The program included a presentation on the data, in-depth panel discussions, and diverse political perspectives on the study’s findings.

• Opening Remarks: Jim Clifton, Gallup
• Data Discussion and Intro to Findings: Justin Lall, Gallup
• What Unites Us: Brad Rourke (moderator) from the Charles F. Kettering Foundation, with panelists Sarah Longwell, publisher of The Bulwark and Kettering Foundation senior fellow, and Erica Frantz, associate professor of political science at Michigan State University and Kettering Foundation research fellow
• Perspectives from Newt Gingrich: Jim Clifton (moderator) from Gallup, with Newt Gingrich, former speaker of the US House of Representatives
• Perspectives from James Carville: Jim Clifton (moderator) from Gallup, with James Carville, political consultant
• Looking Forward, Gen Z and Democracy: Rachel Janfaza (moderator), founder of The Up and Up, with CJ Pearson of the Republican National Committee Youth Advisory Council, and Aaron Parnas, journalist
• Closing Remarks: Sharon L. Davies, Charles F. Kettering Foundation