Common Courage
Anyone can act courageously in the face of authoritarianism
Common Courage invites people in to take action large and small to uphold our shared values of liberty and dignity for all. It’s easier to live out our courage and act on it when we know other people are with us. Anyone can choose courage. When we choose it together, we can block authoritarianism and build a better future.
PILLARS IN OUR COMMUNITIES
All political systems, including authoritarian regimes, rely on the allegiance of key organizations and institutions, or ‘pillars of support’ to remain in power. When these pillars withdraw their moral and material resources, authoritarian regimes lose their power. Pillars can activate these same resources in support of democracy. Common Courage is about inviting pillars of support into communities and movements that uphold democracy.
Download Guide
This is your guide to understanding & activating common courage in your community:
What are the different pillars propping up the authoritarian system?
How can each pillar of society act courageously to advance democracy?
How can we cultivate common courage? What holds people back from acting courageously in the face of authoritarianism?
Case studies from faith, business, education, military, law enforcement, civil society, and labor pillars.
Access a step-by-step guide to activate common courage across each pillar in your community.
Small acts of courage have value and deserve recognition. Change does not require everyone to make the same leap at the same time. People can move from where they are toward greater participation and support for democracy. The framework recognizes a spectrum of support and different kinds of activation.
SMALL ACTS OF COURAGE
Courage can look different for different people and in different moments. It might mean listening, asking a difficult question, having a conversation, speaking publicly, showing solidarity, protecting an institution, building an alternative, or refusing to cooperate with something you believe is wrong.