ReportGovernance Studies at Brookings

Democracy Playbook 2025: Seven Pillars to Defend Democracy in 2025 and Beyond

Edited by Norman Eisen & Jonathan Katz, 2025

https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/v4_democracy-playbook-2025.pdf

This third edition of the Democracy Playbook offers evidence-based best practices for reversing democratic backsliding, to help citizens and stakeholders reclaim good governance, transparency, and the rule of law, and strengthen democratic resilience. It outlines how the business sector has historically supported these efforts by fighting corruption (Pillar 3) through actions like opposing state capture, supporting anti-corruption laws, and protecting whistleblowers, in addition to making democracy deliver (Pillar 7) through fair wages, labor rights, and investment in underserved communities. It calls on companies to continue this role, emphasizing that democratic stability is essential for reducing risk and sustaining long-term economic opportunity.

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ToolThe Erb Institute CPR Taskforce

Erb CPRT Expert Dialogue Video Library

2024

A guide to selected video clips (and some transcripts) from the Erb Institute’s Corporate Political Responsibility Taskforce (CPRT) Expert Dialogues hosted from March 2021 to April 24, featuring conversations with a diverse range of advocates, experts and executives from across the political spectrum, to explore what it means for companies to use their political influences responsibly. A very useful resource for educators, practitioners and associations to spark conversation and action. All clips are coded with keywords for easy selection by topic.

ArticleHarvard Business Review

HBR’s Picks on Managing Social and Political Issues at Work

HBR Editors, 2024

This HBR collection offers practical guidance on how companies can engage with social and political issues at work, from CEO activism to employee dialogue, and includes a piece by Ed Dolan that highlights the Erb Principles as a framework for responsible corporate political engagement.

BookHarvard Business Review Press

Higher Ground: How Business Can Do the Right Thing in a Turbulent World

2024

Named one of the best businesss books of 2024 by the Financial Times, this book outlines how businesses can more effectively navigate a new ethical landscape.

ArticlePenn Carey Law

How Did Corporations Get Stuck in Politics and Can They Escape?

Jill Fisch, Jeff Schwartz, 2024

This paper warns that companies risk backlash when engaging in political debates beyond their core business. It argues for an explicit commitment to “non-posturing” —which requires focusing on transparency, stakeholder alignment, and voluntary initiatives instead of symbolic activism or reactive statements.

ArticleBoston Consulting Group

How Leaders Can Navigate a Polarized World

Pete Engardio, 2024

Amid rising political backlash, most companies are recalibrating—not abandoning—their ESG and DEI agendas. This piece highlights a shift toward quieter, stakeholder-focused strategies rooted in authenticity, measurable impact, and alignment with business goals. It notes how terms like “ESG” are being replaced with less politicized language, and how scenario planning and coalition-building are helping leaders navigate polarized environments without losing credibility.

VideoCorporate Political Responsibility Taskforce

How Policy Affects Commercial Determinants of Health

Dr. Nason Maani of University of Edinburgh, 2024

ArticleAustralian Institute of Corporate Directors

How to navigate controversial issues

Patrick Langrell, 2024

As a company’s engagement in social and political issues becomes increasingly fraught, this article lays out decision-making principles companies can use to determine whether and when to engage in social and political issues.

VideoCorporate Political Responsibility Taskforce

Implications for CPR: How Quantification Strengthens the Case for Action (and CPR)

Daniel Aronson of Valutus, 2024

ReportAI Now Institute

Lessons from the FDA for AI

2024

Ex ante regulation modeled on the FDA enhances public safety by rigorously assessing AI systems before deployment to prevent harm, while providing industry with clear, consistent standards that build consumer trust, reduce costly post-release failures, and foster sustainable innovation.

ReportCenter for Political Accountability

Mason-Dixon/CPA Shareholder National Poll Findings

2024

Surveys of a national sample of investors revealed that 87% believe companies should adopt a code of conduct for political spending. Additionally, 91% support measures to ensure that political contributions are lawful and consistent with the company’s public policies and objectives.

ReportNational Association of Corporate Directors

Navigating a New Wave of Reputational Risks

2024

This report details the increasing complexity of reputational risks in today’s business environment, highlighting how political, societal, and environmental issues are challenging corporate reputations. It emphasizes the need for boards to adopt adaptive governance strategies and stay ahead of public and regulatory pressures to avoid brand damage.

VideoCorporate Political Responsibility Taskforce

Navigating Diverse Views on Sustainability Policy

Renee Henze of IFF and Nathan Sell of the ACI, 2024

ArticleCivic Alliance

Politics and Polarization in the Workplace: An Employer Guide to Bridge Building

2024

This guide provides concrete ways that companies can integrate civic activities into its talent management and other processes.

ReportInstitute for Economics & Peace

Positive Peace Report 2024

2024

This report demonstrates that countries investing in stable, healthy systems and norms—such as resilient institutions, inclusive economies, and social trust—are more likely to flourish, while those that don’t face increased risk of future violent conflict.

BookHarper Business

Possible: How We Survive (and Thrive) in an Age of Conflict

William Ury, 2024

A far-reaching account of how intractable conflicts can be transformed, and the mindset that enables breakthroughs. Outlines specific approaches from conflict resolutin and peace-building, including how to leverage a "third side."

ReportOxfam

Right-Sizing Corporate Voice: A Briefing for Business on Responsible Political Engagement

Andrew Slight, 2024

This article outlines a new approach to corporate political engagement that builds on human rights frameworks to help combat corporate short-termism and enable companies to align their political engagement with longer-term priorities. The article outlines specific action steps that companies can use to align their political engagement with longer-term environmental, institutional stability, and human rights considerations.

ReportSociety for Human Resource Management

SHRM Political Conversations Playbook

Allen Smith, J.D., 2024

This playbook offers HR professionals guidance on managing political discussions at work, providing strategies to ensure civil dialogue, resolve conflicts, and maintain a respectful, productive environment. It includes practical tips and real-world examples for handling political topics in diverse workplaces.

ArticleThe Erb Institute CPR Taskforce

South Africa: A Case Example of Corporate Political Responsibility in Polarized Times

Patricia McLagan, 2024

Patricia McLagan is an author, consultant, and business owner with fifty years’ experience supporting large scale change processes in business and governments globally. From 1983 through 2004, Pat consulted with major South African businesses, government entities, universities, and parastatals, and chaired the Desmond Tutu Peace Foundation after returning to the US. This article draws on her personal experience with South African businesses and government entities from 1983 into the 2010s, focusing on what some white South African business leaders did in a time of polarization and potential civil war.

VideoCorporate Political Responsibility Taskforce

The Business Case for CPR

Angeli Patel with the Berkeley Center for Law and Business, 2024

ReportThe Erb Institute CPR Taskforce

The Erb Principles for CPR: What People are Saying

2024

Comments from business leaders, academics, civil society organizations and others commenting how the Erb Principles for Corporate Political Responsibility can help with managing risk, sustaining market economies, strengthening civic institutions and enabling long-term value for business and society.

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