THE NEW WISCONSIN IDEA
Policy of, by, and for the People
AN IDEA EMERGES
The Wisconsin Idea emerged at the turn of the 20th century as a bold experiment in democratic governance—a belief that government should exist to improve people’s lives and draw its wisdom from the people themselves. Rooted in the partnership between the University of Wisconsin and the state’s elected leaders, the Idea held that research, expertise, and public service were inseparable. Scholars would help shape policy, leaders would be accountable to evidence and the public good, and the benefits of progress would reach every community. It was the rare political philosophy that treated democracy as a living project, not a static institution.
WISCONSIN PROGRESSIVISM GROWS
From this foundation grew a powerful progressive movement that made Wisconsin a laboratory for reform. Leaders like Robert “Fighting Bob” La Follette translated the Wisconsin Idea into action—expanding worker protections, regulating railroads and utilities, breaking corporate monopolies, and making government more transparent and participatory. Progressivism in Wisconsin wasn’t merely ideological; it was practical and fiercely democratic. It proved that when policy is crafted through evidence, public engagement, and moral purpose, government can be both effective and trusted. The state became a national model for what people-centered governance could look like.
THE NEW DEAL
When the Great Depression demanded bold solutions, Wisconsin’s progressive innovations became blueprints for national transformation. Many New Deal programs—including unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, cooperative utilities, and social welfare systems—were born from or inspired by Wisconsin’s policy experiments. The Wisconsin Idea scaled up to the federal level, demonstrating its enduring power: rigorous research, democratic accountability, and a commitment to the common good. In a moment of national crisis, Wisconsin’s approach showed that evidence-based reform could rebuild an economy, restore public faith, and expand the promise of American democracy.
THE DEMAND FOR A NEW VISION
Today, as the country confronts profound political division, economic inequality, and eroding trust in institutions, the Wisconsin Idea is re-emerging as a guidepost for renewal. A new generation of leaders, organizers, students, and public servants is reclaiming its core principles—government rooted in evidence, policy shaped by public input, and progress aimed at the common good. The Idea is no longer just an academic concept or historical artifact; it is a movement. In an age hungry for reason, accountability, and shared purpose, the Wisconsin Idea offers a path forward: a politics that works for people, not the privileged few, and a democracy that once again feels like a public project we build together.
Credit: Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
THE NEW
WISCONSIN IDEA
The New Wisconsin Idea is the philosophy that a state's economy and policies must reflect evidence, reason, and public input. It is a commitment to continually moving society forward in benefit of the common good, not the extremely privileged.
It is grounded by 10 foundational rights owed to all who call Wisconsin home. Together, these form the Wisconsin Economic Justice Bill of Rights.
1. Jobs
We fight for your right to a job that provides dignity at work and pays a living wage.
2. Education
We fight for your right to adequately-funded public education and affordable, accessible childcare.
3. Unions
We fight for your right to join a union, public or private, and collective bargaining.
4. Healthcare
We fight for your right to affordable, accessible, high-quality, and comprehensive healthcare.
5. Environment
We fight for your right to a clean, sustainable environment and a healthy planet.
6. Infrastructure
We fight for your right to decent, sustainable community infrastructure including safe, affordable housing, transportation, and broadband access.
7. Economy
We fight for your right to equitable access to capital, investments, financial institutions, and retirement.
8. Justice
We fight for your right to a fair, restorative, and equitable justice system.
9. Recreation
We fight for your right to recreation and participation in community and civic life.
10. Liberty
We fight for your right to life, self-determination, and freedom from oppression, regardless of documentation status.
ORGANIZATIONS & BUSINESSES
Build collective power that no single organization can wield alone.
Member organizations and businesses form the coalition’s foundation, moving beyond isolated advocacy into coordinated action by sharing strategy, resources, and reach to confront concentrated economic and political power. Members gain access to shared research, organizing capacity, and a trusted network that aligns priorities, coordinates campaigns, and amplifies impact.
ELECTED & APPOINTED OFFICIALS
Turn community demands into real policy and real wins.
Value-aligned public officials bridge grassroots power and government action by grounding leadership in community-driven priorities. Through close collaboration with organizers and member organizations, they help develop policy shaped by lived experience that advances economic fairness and democratic accountability, while gaining public trust and a durable movement behind their leadership.
ORGANIZERS & VOLUNTEERS
Be part of something bigger, and make it move.
Organizers and volunteers are the engine of the coalition, turning shared values into coordinated action by recruiting members, building relationships, and advancing campaigns. Participants gain meaningful roles, political education, and places to apply their skills, supported by shared structure, strategy, and community so no one organizes alone and every effort serves a winnable vision.