Balancing Ideals with Realities: Governance at Its Best
Connecting the high values of democracy with the practical challenges of sustainability, one story at a time
In this week’s TL;dr from Good Government Files, we’re sharing three articles that highlight both the big picture and the on-the-ground realities of effective governance. The first two remind us why we need to reconnect with the shared values that underpin our democracy. Both point to the importance of balancing the ideals of democracy with the realities of disagreement and diversity.
But governance isn’t all about lofty ideals. In Boise, Idaho, leaders faced a very real challenge: How do you convince citizens to get on board with drinking treated wastewater? The city’s successful effort reminds us that sometimes the best way to solve big problems is to roll up your sleeves and get people comfortable with the gritty details.
These three stories show how effective government requires both inspiration and perspiration — combining higher values with practical, down-to-earth strategies that engage and empower citizens.
We Are Still the People
Writing for The Free Press, Yuval Levin reflects on his journey as an immigrant to the United States, his naturalization, and how the Constitution and the idea of “We the People” shaped his understanding of American identity. Levin offers a powerful message that’s deeply relevant for local government professionals: it’s possible to foster unity despite differences. America’s founding principles demand it. My takeaways from this fantastic essay:
The Power of “We”: Levin emphasizes the foundational documents of the United States — such as the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence — use “we” to underscore the collective ownership of America's future. This sense of unity is essential, especially amid disagreements. “We is an exceptionally important word in the American political tradition.”
Unity Through Diversity: Levin argues Americans have always been diverse and divided, but unity doesn’t require thinking alike — it requires acting together. The Constitution is designed to compel negotiation and coalition-building, which helps create policies that involve everyone. “Our first-person plural Constitution is built on the insight that deep disagreement is a permanent reality but need not make unity impossible. This is because, in a free society, unity doesn’t mean thinking alike; unity means acting together.”
The Constitution’s Relevance Today: Critics of the Constitution may argue it’s outdated, but Levin asserts it remains a sophisticated tool for maintaining cohesion amid diversity. It is through bargaining and negotiation that majorities are empowered, while minorities are protected. “The Constitution makes possible a democracy that takes account of that fact, and so can empower majorities while protecting minorities through the very institutions that require us to act together even when we don’t think alike.”
Mistaking Politics for Religion
In another essay from The Free Press, Martin Gurri critiques the modern trend of turning politics into a quasi-religion, where people seek meaning and redemption from a political system. Looking for transcendence through politics can distort the purpose of government and create a more polarized society — something local government professionals should be mindful of. Here are three takeaways:
Politics Can’t Provide Redemption: Gurri argues many people mistakenly seek personal validation and spiritual redemption from politics, turning it into a stand-in for religion. This leads to unrealistic expectations and deep disillusionment. “What are we to do with those who seek redemption from an institution explicitly designed not to provide it?”
The Crisis of Representation: The true crisis isn’t the end of democracy, as many fear, but a failure of representation. “We can’t lose our democracy because we never had one. Our system is called ‘representative government.’” Political leaders have become disconnected from ordinary citizens, and the bond between the public and its representatives has shattered. “Three out of four Americans feel unrepresented by their elected representatives.”
Fanaticism in Politics: Gurri warns against political fanaticism, comparing it to a religious zeal that seeks to impose moral purity on everyone. This can lead to dangerous authoritarian impulses and the erosion of free speech. “But what are we to do with the fanatics who wish to turn government into a church and the private sphere into a puritanical zone of control? … As human beings, they should be treated with compassion. As political actors, however, they must be confronted and defeated. There’s no middle ground: Either we are equal and equally free or we’re nothing.”
Storytelling brought this city together to secure a resilient future
Boise, Idaho, faced a technical challenge in addressing water-renewal capacity amidst climate risks and droughts. By using storytelling techniques, the city was able to build a narrative around sustainability, creating community engagement and broad support for a water recycling plant project. This decade-long effort reframed complex issues, making them relatable and actionable for residents. The Bloomberg Cities article demonstrates how storytelling can build lasting commitment for public action.
Simplifying Complex Concepts: Boise transformed complicated technical jargon into more accessible language to engage residents. By changing terms like “wastewater” to “water renewal,” the city made the issue more relatable and future oriented. “Their work shows that storytelling tools aren’t just a way to engage communities in the short term; they can also help build a joint vision for tackling complex challenges.”
Community Engagement Through Sensory Experiences: Boise got creative in connecting with residents by organizing events where purified, recycled water was used to brew beer. That’s right — beer made from treated wastewater! These events helped residents get comfortable with the idea of water recycling in a fun and tangible way. “That was really helpful in setting the stage with the community about getting comfortable with this,” says Kyle Patterson, Boise’s chief innovation officer. I’m reminded of one of the classic lines delivered by Hank Hill, the down-to-earth, propane-loving philosopher of Arlen, Texas.
Building a Shared, Positive Narrative: The city’s efforts weren’t just about addressing immediate challenges but also about fostering long-term civic pride. The upcoming water and climate education center aims to build a positive narrative around sustainable action for the future. “These spaces can help build a ‘Boise-centered climate narrative, but with personal action’ embedded at their core.”
In Other’s Words
Author James Clear on inspiration:
Inspiration comes on the twenty-fifth attempt, not the first. If you want to make something excellent, don’t wait for a brilliant idea to strike. Create 25 of what you need and one will be great. Inspiration reveals itself after you get the average ideas out of the way, not before you take the first step.
Kevin Williamson, sharp-tongued commentator for The Dispatch, on the irony of how some self-proclaimed nationalists profess a deep love for America — but only for carefully chosen parts of it:
I love America, except for the cities, California, the East Coast, the West Coast, New England and the Pacific Northwest most especially, the Ivy League and most of the better colleges, Wall Street, Silicon Valley, Hollywood, the medical and legal professions, people with graduate degrees, people who liked that Barbie movie, Taylor Swift, that football player she’s dating …
Finally, we return to the well of wisdom from Marcus Aurelius, Roman emperor and Stoic. This time, on insecurity:
We love ourselves above all others, yet we put more stock in other people’s opinions of us than in our own.
Onward and Upward.