How do we define a strong democracy? What roles do social cohesion and philanthropy play in shaping our political landscape?
On October 2nd, 2024, Ben Jealous, former National President of the NAACP; Kat Rosqueta, founding executive director of the Center for High Impact Philanthropy; and Virginia Kase Solomon, President and CEO of Common Cause, tackled these pressing questions in a discussion hosted by the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2). The event was part of SP2’s 2024/2025 Speaker Series, “Conversations About Race, Equity, and Justice.”
“A strong democracy depends on empowered citizens, fair processes, responsive policy, and access to timely, relevant information,” Rosqueta said.
Kase Solomon added a stark reality. “Our democracy is much younger in reality than what we believe it to be,” she noted, pointing to the Voting Rights Act of 1965 as the starting point for a more inclusive democracy. Solomon underscored how recent rollbacks in voting rights and increased economic inequality signal a regression in democracy.
The conversation also touched on the powerful influence of money in politics. Both Rosqueta and Kase Solomon pointed out the challenges this poses, not just in elections but in maintaining a fair and equitable democracy overall. Solomon argued for comprehensive reforms, including campaign finance and ethics reforms, to curb the influence of dark money in politics.
Jealous expanded on the complexities, highlighting that while race issues are openly discussed in the U.S., class issues often go unacknowledged. “A lot of the toxicity in our politics tracks with the closing down of 65,000 factories in this country over the last 30 years,” he said, linking the erosion of economic opportunity to political discontent.
Rosqueta also discussed the positive role philanthropy can play in ensuring a healthy democracy, like funding accurate local news coverage. She pointed to initiatives like Resolve Philly as a prime example of philanthropy’s role in rebuilding democracy. “They are delivering real-time, accurate news and engaging citizen documenters to report on what’s happening in their communities,” she said, stressing that access to local information is vital for a functioning democracy.
Jealous concluded, “Strengthening democracy is about more than just elections—it’s about how we engage with each other every day.