- Groundwork
Democracy narratives: what are they and how do they matter for democratic engagement and behavior?
- February 27, 2026
- 4:11 pm
SECTOR
PROJECT TYPE
Location
BEHAVIORAL THEME
OVERVIEW
This systematic literature review examines how narratives about democracy shape democratic engagement and behavior. Drawing on academic and practitioner literature, the report explores how people’s mental models, communication environments, and lived experiences influence whether they participate in democratic processes or disengage from them. The study highlights the importance of narratives in shaping democratic practices and sustaining democratic systems.
Research Questions:
- How do narratives about democracy influence democratic engagement and behavior?
- What communication strategies strengthen support for democratic practices?
- How do context, individual experience, and systemic factors interact to shape narratives?
- What gaps exist in the current research on democracy narratives and behavior?
Research Methods:
The study conducts a systematic review of peer-reviewed academic literature published since 2014 alongside gray literature produced by organizations working on democracy and social change. The research analyzed publications identified through keyword searches across major academic databases and practitioner networks, ultimately reviewing dozens of academic papers and reports to synthesize patterns, themes, and evidence on democracy narratives.
THEMATIC AREAS
Key Findings:
- Narratives are deep frameworks that shape how people interpret events, make decisions, and engage with democracy.
- Despite broad global support for democracy, many citizens feel unheard, unrepresented, and alienated from democratic institutions.
- Democratic engagement is expressed through four practices: upholding democratic principles, participating in democratic processes, expressing dissent, and personal investment.
- Narratives influence whether people support or withdraw from these democratic practices.
- Narrative change requires addressing communication strategies, behavioral dynamics, and systemic conditions simultaneously.
- Existing research on democracy narratives remains geographically and methodologically uneven, with limited evidence from many regions of the Global South.
Implications for Policy or Development:
- Efforts to strengthen democracy must address narratives alongside institutional reforms.
- Communication strategies should align with people’s lived experiences rather than abstract messaging about democratic values.
- Supporting democratic engagement requires understanding behavioral drivers, social context, and power structures.
- Greater research attention is needed in underrepresented regions, particularly in the Global South.
- Coordinated efforts across research, communications, and civic practice are essential for strengthening democratic participation.