Democracy Is
Worth Fighting For
America’s political extremism and divisions are at an all-time high. At LDI, we believe there is nothing more worth saving than our democracy. As an organization we work every day to find the path forward.
Research
The Lincoln Democracy Institute (LDI) set out to tackle this challenge by creating the 2023 Lincoln Democracy Index. LDI, along with our partner QuestionPro, interviewed more than 17,000 registered voters between January and April 2023.
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Uncovering the Fears that Shape America’s Psyche
March 2025 – This research explores the psychological and informational drivers of voter behavior, examining how micro-behaviors shape political choices, the role of ideology, and inclinations toward extremism and authoritarianism. We also assess how direct and indirect information influence political narratives and engagement. This presentation highlights the intersection of Americans’ fears, personality traits, and demographics,…
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Survey Snapshot: Political Violence in 2024
October 2024 – A recent LDI survey revealed significant anxiety and unease surrounding the likelihood of political violence following the 2024 elections. The survey revealed widespread concern about the potential for political violence following the presidential election, with 87% of respondents indicating they believe it is likely to occur in the near future. Among them,…
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Survey Snapshot: The Dynamics of Differing Viewpoints in Personal Relationships
October 2024 – A recent LDI survey has shed light on the challenges people face when discussing differing viewpoints with others. Approximately 57% of respondents reported losing a personal relationship because of disagreements. Despite this, many still recognize the importance of engaging in discussions with those who hold different views. Half of the surveyed individuals…
The Latest
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New Survey: More Extremist Electorate Is Raising The Threat Of Election Violence
A new survey from The Lincoln Democracy Institute shows the threat of election violence is growing as political extremism has become normalized. The findings were part of the Democracy Index, a new research project of the American electorate meant to determine what drives political extremism and how to refine political engagement to oppose radicalized forces…
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2023 Democracy Index
On January 20, 2025, America’s experiment with democracy will either continue as it has for over two hundred forty-eight years, or it will die. Democracy’s fate will not be decided by who wins in November 2024. Rather, the outcome will be determined by whether those on the side receiving fewer votes will peacefully accept governance by…
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Lincoln Democracy Institute Tells Voters The Choice Is For Democracy Or Autocracy
November 4, 2022 – In a new video, the Lincoln Democracy Institute tells voters about how the choice they make this election will define America’s future for years. Voters can either feed into a phony narrative that instills fear, or instead embrace hope and a belief in America’s democratic traditions. “This is the most important election for democracy in…
