ReportCommittee for Economic Development (The Conference Board)

A Stable Democracy at 250: Trusted Elections as the Foundation Report

2026

https://www.conference-board.org/research/solutions-briefs/a-stable-democracy-at-250-trusted-elections-as-the-foundation

What It Is: A 2026 solutions brief explaining why free and fair elections matter for democracy and the economy, tracking recent trends in voter confidence and election administration, and offering recommendations and best practices across the business community, election administration, the conduct of elections, federal/state/local roles, and information integrity — paired with an accompanying Elections Toolkit.

Why It Matters: As the brief puts it, free and fair elections are "a cornerstone of US democracy," underpinning both political stability and economic strength — a secure, credible, and accessible electoral system builds the business confidence companies need to operate with trust in governance and engage in shaping policy. That stake is measurable: confidence that votes will be counted accurately has slipped to 60% ahead of the 2026 midterms, down from a post-2024 high of 77%.

How to Use It: The brief's recommendations distill to three actions for business leaders: proactively encourage employee and community voting in a nonpartisan way; support election administration by recruiting poll workers and offering flexible scheduling; and share trusted, official information to counter election-related mis- and disinformation. Use the accompanying Elections Toolkit to put these into practice ahead of the midterms.

Back to showcase

More Resources

Articles (121)

Books (16)

Reports (118)

Tools (22)

Videos (116)

Presentations (2)

Websites (22)

Items per page

381 – 400 of 418 results showing

ArticleNBER

The Economics and Politics of Market Concentration

Thomas Philippon, 2019

This article presents data on structural shifts in U.S. markets over the past two decades, showing how rising concentration moves returns from labor to capital, reduces competition, and limits investment. It distinguishes “good” concentration, driven by efficiency and innovation, from “bad” concentration, driven by rent-seeking. These market changes also influence political trends and policymaking, highlighting the broader economic and governance implications of concentrated industries.

ArticleHarvard Business Law Review

The Untenable Case for Keeping Investors in the Dark

Lucian A. Bebchuk, Robert J. Jackson, Jr., James David Nelson & Roberto Tallarita, 2019

The authors argue that withholding corporate political spending from investors increases reputational and legal risks. They contend that transparency allows investors to make informed decisions, aligning their investments with their values and minimizing potential risks.

ArticleCalifornia Management Review

CSR Needs CPR: Corporate Sustainability and Politics

Thomas P. Lyon, Magali A. Delmas, John W. Maxwell, Pratima (Tima) Bansal, Mireille Chiroleu-Assouline, Patricia Crifo, Rodolphe Durand, Jean-Pascal Gond, Andrew King, Michael Lenox, Michael Toffel, David Vogel & Frank Wijen, 2018

Suggests that a company’s political activities may have more impact on social and environmental sustainability than operations, and argues that corporate political responsibility requires transparency, accountability, and responsibility.

ReportIssue One

Dark Money, Illuminated

2018

Informative look at what dark money is, how it came to be, and the influence it has on shaping our society. Provides both a report and a first-of-its-kind database shining a light on transactions happening in the dark.

ArticleHarvard Business Review

Managing 21st-Century Political Risk

Condoleezza Rice & Amy Zegart, 2018

This article outlines how businesses can manage modern political risks, which now stem from a broader range of sources, including social media, local officials, and cybercriminals. It emphasizes four core competencies—understanding, analyzing, mitigating risks, and responding to crises—and provides practical questions and case studies to help companies strengthen their ability to handle political disruptions.

ReportB Team

SHARED SPACE UNDER PRESSURE: BUSINESS SUPPORT FOR CIVIC FREEDOMS AND HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS

Bennett Freeman, 2018

This piece offers guidance for companies on how to protect civic freedoms and support human rights defenders. It outlines the normative framework, business case, and moral considerations for corporate engagement, emphasizing the importance of understanding the reality and severity of harms, the company's involvement, and the context in which they operate.

ReportCECP’s Strategic Investor Initiative (SII) and KKS Advisors

The Economic Significance of Long-term Plans

2018

This study found that investors showed clear market interest in long-term plans—particularly those with specific, forward-looking disclosures on strategy, trends, and financials—while vague or missing information on governance and ESG weakened impact, highlighting the need for more accountable, investor-relevant corporate communication to counter short-term market pressures.

ReportHidden Tribes

The Hidden Tribes of America

2018

This report based on extensive empirical research shows that, while political extremes dominate public discourse, most Americans belong to an “Exhausted Majority” who feel overlooked and frustrated by polarization. It underscores the need to elevate voices that champion trust, empathy, and shared values.

ArticleHBR

The New CEO Activists

Chatterji and Toffel, 2018

This article outlines CEO activism and its influence, risks, and rewards. Authors reference research to assert that CEOs must strategically decide when and how to engage with social and political issues. The included playbook provides insight on how to go about engagement for positive impact. By raising awareness and leveraging economic power, CEOs can embrace transparency and accountability to their company values.

ToolChief Executives for Corporate Purpose

CECP Long-term Integrated Plan Framework

2017

Outlines a structured framework for CEOs to disclose 3–5 year strategic plans—financial and non-financial—to long-term investors, helping align sustainability, purpose, and market-facing strategy while demonstrating material impact on stock performance and investor confidence.

Article PwC Strategy + Business

Common Purpose: Realigning Business, Economics & Society

Colm Kelly & Blair Shepperd, 2017

This article examines how current economic and political upheavals reflect an ongoing misalignment between business and economies and acceptable societal outcomes. Encourages re-examination of long-held assumptions.

BookCommittee for Economic Development

Sustaining Capitalism: Bipartisan Solutions to Restore Trust & Prosperity

Odland & Minarik, 2017

This report provides historical context on how business–government dynamics have contributed to rising inequality and public distrust, and invites business leaders to rethink their role in helping restore trust and shape a more inclusive, sustainable capitalism.

Article Journal of Economic Perspectives (American Economic Association)

Towards a Political Theory of the Firm

Luigi Zingales, 2017

This article argues that firms are significant political as well as economic actors, with considerable power to shape the rules of the game within which they compete. Fillling in the gap in the prevailing theory of the firm, which ignores the elements of politics and power, Zingales outlines the risk of a “Medici vicious circle,” and how this risk depends on several non-market factors. He develops a framework for understanding corporate political behavior as endogenous to market systems, emphasizing how firms influence governance structures, competition, and distributional outcomes.

Website

2017

This nonpartisan initiative aims to translate publicly available government data into clear, accessible insights on a variety of topics, including the economy, health, education, and government spending. By presenting information without spin, it aims to empower citizens, policymakers, and businesses to form their own conclusions, supporting the “third side” in polarized debates.

WebsiteGlobal Reporting Initiative

Global Reporting Initiative(GRI) Standard 415: Public Policy

2016

Summary of voluntary standard on reporting public policy management approach, including political contribution disclosures as is certified by the Global Reporting Initiative.

ReportNew America

POST-MAP-ASK: Towards a more Democratic, Modern Lobbying Process

Lee Drutman/Christine Mahoney, 2016

This report from the New America Foundation’s political reform program advocates for a voluntary public database that tracks the political positions and papers of advocacy groups, making it easier to track who is advocating for what when it comes to critical policy debates, demystifying the lobbying process.

ArticleNegotiation Journal

Toward a Theory of Negotiation Precedent

Larry Crump, 2016

This article examines how past negotiations, or precedents, shape current negotiations by guiding strategy and providing tested solutions, while also potentially constraining new thinking. It offers practical insights for managers on how to create, apply, and navigate precedents effectively to influence outcomes.

ToolUnited Nations Global Compact

Business for Rule of Law Framework

2015

Seeks to advance the rule of law by engaging responsible business to support the building and strengthening of legal frameworks and accountable institutions – serving as a complement to, not substitute for, government action.

ArticleBrookings Institution

Do Managers Have a Role to Play in Sustaining the Institutions of Capitalism?

Rebecca Henderson & Karthik Ramanna, 2015

This article advocates for and examines the role of managers in weighing corporate political responsibility with traditional shareholder primacy when lobbying. Builds a strong case and suggests that companies consider whether the public is informed or has the necessary expertise.

ReportFCLT

Perspectives on the Long-term

D. Barton, M. Wiseman, L. Fink, R. Edelman, H. Paulson, L. Rothschild, N. Carr, N. Nohria, P. Polman, W. MacMillan, G. Page, C. Kochhar, K. McLaughlin, D. McMillon, A. Orr, J. Rogers, L. Chow Kiat, E. Munro, C. Tilley, L. Zhang, M. Sabia, J. Gorman, et al, 2015

Dominic Barton, Mark Wiseman, Laurence Fink, Richard Edelman, Henry M. Paulson Jr., Lynn Forester de Rothschild, Nicholas Carr, Nitin Nohria, Paul Polman, Whitney MacMillan, Greg Page, Chanda Kochhar, Kathleen McLaughlin, Doug McMillon, Adrian Orr, John D. Rogers, Lim Chow Kiat, Euan Munro, Charles Tilley, Lei Zhang, Michael Sabia, James P. Gorman, David Walker, Angel Gurría, Ronald P. O’Hanley, Donald Kaberuka, Julie Hembrock Daum, Edward Speed, Angelien Kemna

This report compiles insights from CEOs, investors, and regulators emphasizing how quarterly earnings pressure and misaligned incentives restrict long-term strategic thinking, and it proposes governance reforms to realign business purpose with sustainable, multi-stakeholder value creation.

Share.

Do you have a resource to recommend for The CPR Hub? Please reach out and we will review it for future updates!

Contact Us

Receive Updates from The CPR Hub

Learn about new tools, insights and events to help you consider how CPR can help your company, clients or members.

Stay in the loop.