Frequently Asked Questions

Why was the Commonweal Institute founded?

The Commonweal Institute was founded because there is a pressing need for a progressive / moderate organization that actively works to change public attitudes to be more receptive to moderate and progressive ideas, and thereby to change the American political scene.

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What issues will the Commonweal Institute address?

The Commonweal Institute functions as a multi-issue organization. Therefore, it will address a wide spectrum of issues--from campaign financing to education, from healthcare to environment, from social security to national security. It will develop policy positions on issues based on a set of core principles:

1. Commitment to future generations
2. Inclusiveness and fairness
3. A balance between business and society as a whole
4. Environmental protection
5. Separation of church and state
6. Personal choice and privacy
7. Nuanced and comprehensive national security

By pursuing a long-term strategy and organizing around a limited number of core principles, the Commonweal Institute seeks to help moderates and progressives advance their broad range of issues effectively. Additionally, the core principles will form a common basis for working together to achieve our shared goals.

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How will the Commonweal Institute communicate its ideas?

The Commonweal Institute will use contemporary marketing and public relations techniques in communicating centrist and progressive ideas to the general public and to a wide array of target audiences, thereby shaping public debate and influencing policy-makers. It will maintain close connections with its various partners and audiences in order to determine how best to influence the public agenda on an ongoing basis.

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How will communicating ideas change attitudes?

Attitudes are based on what we know, what we hear from others, and how new information fits into our underlying views of how the world operates. Therefore, communicating new ideas in a way that makes it easy for people to see how they are compatible with their understanding of the world makes it more likely that these ideas will affect their attitudes.

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Which audiences will the Commonweal Institute address?

• Short informational documents and position papers for use by legislators, government officials, and grassroots advocacy groups
• Articles and opinion pieces designed for newsletters and specialty publications
• Articles designed for publication in newspapers and periodicals
• Articles for posting on the Internet
• Press releases that can be customized for use by local media outlets
• Audio and video recordings for media use
• Commentary and testimony by expert speakers appearing in the broadcast and print media and before Congressional committees

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What's the difference between the Commonweal Institute and other organizations addressing similar issues?

The Commonweal Institute is multi-issue. Most existing moderate and progressive think tanks address a single issue or a small number of related issues. More fundamentally, the Commonweal Institute is designed to create positive change in public attitudes and the public policy agenda through an aggressive communications program. Existing organizations either do not have the resources or the focus to maximize the force of their ideas in the political and public arenas, and many are trapped in a defensive mode.

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How will the Commonweal Institute relate to other organizations?

The Commonweal Institute will work cooperatively with other centrist and progressive think tanks, with advocacy organizations, and with scholars and writers both inside and outside academia. One of our primary aims is to find new audiences for the creative work of others.

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Why will the Commonweal Institute model work?

The Commonweal Institute represents a new approach for centrists and progressives. It will deal with the challenges that traditionally have limited the effectiveness of moderate and progressive groups. We know this advocacy think tank model can work because a similar model has already been successfully employed by conservative and libertarian think tanks.

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If the Commonweal Institute is such a great idea, why hasn't someone else already done this?

There are three main reasons: (1) It would require a major change of focus for existing organizations; (2) Based on experience to date, it is feared that adequate funding for this type of organization may not be available; (3) Those with think tank or other progressive organization experience do not generally have the background or interest in creating a large scale production and marketing organization.

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Why is the Commonweal Institute located in California?

The long-term strategy division of the Commonweal Institute is located in California so that it will not be unduly influenced by the day-to-day pressures of Washington, D.C. When fully operational, the Commonweal Institute will have offices both in Washington, D.C., and in California.

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How much will it cost to develop the Commonweal Institute?

In order to influence policy substantially and bring about the desired change in public attitudes, the Commonweal Institute must be funded at least as well as the largest of the conservative think tanks, the Heritage Foundation, whose annual revenue totals approximately $40 million. We will engage in a number of activities similar to those of conservative think tanks, but there will be some differences as well because of differences in resources and constituencies.

The Commonweal Institute will need approximately $1 million for its first year of operation, in order to begin to execute its plans fully. We estimate that the costs for the second of year operation will be approximately $10 million, and the third year will be approximately $15 million. The budget will continue to ramp up in following years, as the organization's scope of operations expands.

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There are many organizations that request contributions; why should I contribute to Commonweal Institute?

The Commonweal Institute intends to do something vital and different from what other organizations are doing. Many moderate and progressive organizations are engaged in defending essential issues and institutions. They are constantly embattled and many are losing ground. By contrast, Commonweal Institute intends to use a proactive, long-term approach to changing public attitudes. This will result in broader public support for our vital issues, including greater receptivity to the efforts of issue-specific progressive groups and greater support for progressive officeholders and candidates.

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You are a new organization; how do I know that you can do what you say you will do?

Like any new organization, our ability to perform will depend on how realistic the organizational goals are, and the people and financial resources that are available. We have the people, the knowledge, the connections, and a proven model for success. We need the money, and if we get the money, we can accomplish our goals.

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What does "commonweal" mean?

"The general welfare" or "the common good".

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