How Business Leaders Can Renew Democracy | Daniella Ballou-Aares | TED

The Rise of Authoritarianism and the Role of Business Leaders

Personal Anecdote on Democracy's Decline

• The speaker recounts a conversation with a Turkish executive who appeared successful but was deeply troubled by the political climate in Turkey, where business leaders faced persecution.

• The executive expressed guilt for staying out of politics while their country descended into authoritarianism, highlighting a sense of urgency about the situation.

• She compared Turkey's political crisis to the U.S., suggesting that America is only in "season three" of its democratic decline, indicating an alarming trajectory.

Reflections on Past Assumptions

• The speaker reflects on her educational background in engineering and business during the '90s when democracy seemed triumphant after the Cold War.

• There was a prevailing belief that authoritarianism would decline permanently, leading many to pursue careers in business rather than government.

• Today, however, authoritarianism is resurging globally, challenging previous assumptions about stable democratic capitalism.

Call to Action for Business Leaders

• The speaker emphasizes that Gen Xers now hold significant leadership roles and have a responsibility to engage politically for democracy's sake.

• She clarifies that she does not advocate for corporate interests dominating politics but rather for responsible engagement from business leaders.

• Historical examples show that when business leaders remain passive, democracies can collapse; active participation can help sustain them.

Solutions Beyond Corporate Virtue Signaling

• The speaker argues against mere corporate virtue signaling or reliance on technology as solutions to political issues.

• Instead, she calls for courageous leadership focused on protecting elections and reforming institutions as essential actions for safeguarding democracy.

Shift in Professional Focus

• Initially focused on private investment during her career, the speaker became alarmed by the fragility of public institutions while serving in government under Obama.

• By 2017, recognizing significant disruptions within American democracy prompted her pivot towards mobilizing business leaders to support democratic renewal efforts.

Formation of Leadership Now Project

• Collaborating with academics and peers from Harvard Business School led to creating the Leadership Now Project aimed at preserving democracy through collective action among business leaders.

• Since its inception in 2018, this initiative has successfully engaged members across various states without partisan bias—focusing instead on shared American values.

Upholding Democracy Through Business Leadership

The Long Game in Democracy Support

• Businesses are adopting a model focused on long-term strategies rather than quick fixes, emphasizing resilience and the ability to replicate successes across different regions.

• Collective action among members is highlighted as crucial for maintaining trust in elections and supporting democratic processes.

Public Statements and Actions

• In October 2020, a significant public statement was made by a business organization to reinforce the legitimacy of the presidential election process, marking a pivotal moment in corporate involvement in democracy.

• Over 200 leaders from various industries joined this initiative, which later gained support from major business associations condemning the January 6 Capitol attack.

Bipartisan Efforts for Election Integrity

• A bipartisan group of Wisconsin business leaders posed a nonpartisan question to gubernatorial candidates about certifying elections regardless of outcomes; their endorsement influenced election results significantly.

• Collaboration with influential figures like Paul Tagliabue led to legislative efforts aimed at protecting presidential election transitions, culminating in reforms to the Electoral Count Act passed by Congress.

Addressing Political Retaliation

• The case involving Disney illustrates how political retribution can threaten businesses; actions taken against Disney were framed as more typical of autocratic regimes than democratic ones.

• An amicus brief was filed supporting Disney's position amidst ongoing legal challenges related to political retaliation against corporations that oppose government stances.

Mobilizing Business Leaders for Democratic Action

• Jeni Britton's leadership alongside over 50 Ohio business leaders showcased collective opposition against measures limiting citizen input on ballot initiatives, resulting in a significant defeat for such proposals.