University of Michigan Panel - Rebuilding Trust in American Civic Institutions

Host Organizations: The Corporate Political Responsibility Taskforce at the University of Michigan’s Erb Institute

When: May 5, 2022, 3:00–4:00 Eastern

Availability: Public (Virtual)

DESCRIPTION: As we head into the fall mid-term elections, experts warn that low trust in American civic institutions is dangerous for representative democracy, civic freedom and the rule of law – as well as the environment for business. Yet trust in American civic institutions has been in decline since the 1970’s and trust in government has not risen above 30% since 2007.

• What are the root causes of this long-term decline of trust in American civic institutions?
• How do we re-build trust in American civic institutions, especially amidst toxic polarization? What models can we draw on? How important is campaign finance reform?
• What role can business play in meaningful, non-partisan reform?

To explore these questions and more, please join us for an interactive conversation with:

Ciara Torres-Spelliscy, professor of law at Stetson University College of Law teaching Election Law, Corporate Governance and Constitutional Law and former counsel in the Brennan Center’s Democracy Program, where she provided guidance on money in politics and the judiciary to state and federal lawmakers.

Kevin Johnson, Executive Director of the Election Reformers Network, an advocacy organization focused on modernizing U.S. democratic institutions threatened by hyperpartisanship.

The Corporate Political Responsibility Taskforce (CPRT)’s Expert Dialogues are in-depth, recorded conversations with academic experts, stakeholder advocates and business practitioners to provide our members and other CPR champions with the expertise and context they need to develop principled, proactive CPR strategies.

This dialogue is designed for leaders in government affairs, diversity, equity and inclusion, and sustainability, as well as academic experts and stakeholder advocates.