Project 2026 update: How to structure it?

My conception of and rationale for Project 2026 (P26) has not been abandoned. Writing it is a moral duty, at least from a pragmatic rationalist point of view. Only the preface is done so far. That bit remains open to suggestions & revisions. How to structure P26 and what to include and exclude has me in writer's block. The complexity is overwhelming. So to try to get unblocked, I asked Pxy for advice/commentary (Comet, actually -- aggressive AI is needed for this task). Talking to Pxy is close to thinking out loud.

Q: I want to compose a Project 2026 manifesto based on the intent and structure of MAGA's pro-authoritarianism Project 2025. The purpose of pro-democracy, anti-authoritarianism Project 2026 is to (1) articulate opposition to Project 2025 by stating what it intends and has done so far to damage democracy, the rule of law, civil liberties, go against majority public opinion, and to implement the rise of a kleptocratic dictatorship under Trump , and (2) articulate ways to oppose and reverse all of that. Project 2026 is intended to crystallize public opinion in opposition to MAGA and its authoritarianism, kleptocracy, and its morally rotted mendacity and cynical hypocrisy. The preface which you aided in me putting together is at this link https://dispol.blogspot.com/2025/10/mandate-for-democracy-2026-rational.htmlhttps://dispol.blogspot.com/2025/10/mandate-for-democracy-2026-rational.html.  

Project 2025 has 5 sections, 1 Taking the reins of government, 2 The common defense, 3 The general welfare, and 4 the economy, and 5 Independent regulatory agencies. Project 2026 is intended to be about 15-25 pages long, not the ~920 pages of Project 2025. Consider and critique the following proposed structure for Project 2026, 1) Preface (at the link above), 2) what MAGA has done and intends to do, 3) reversals to MAGA policies in view of likely majority public opinion when data is available. The ideology this a proposal grounded in is what I call pragmatic rationalism, which you previously assessed to be a meta-ideology as described at this link https://dispol.blogspot.com/2024/10/pragmatic-rationalism-explained-by.html. An example of the core reasoning that adherence to pragmatic rationalism leads to in my hands is exemplified at this link https://dispol.blogspot.com/2025/10/how-pragmatic-rationalist-does-day-to.html.

Once the preface and part of the next section of Project 2026 are posted, I will send the links to influencers in the Democratic, Green and Libertarian parties in the hope that it will resonate with them and trigger their coalescence around this kind of defense against the grave, urgent threat that MAGA authoritarianism has become. The reasoning is that no existing party has a coherent message that might resonate with at least some of the public at large. My blog is tiny and obscure, so all I can do is raise the possibility of something like a Project 2026 in the hope that it will focus messaging in opposition to MAGA and Project 2025. Is this idea and proposed Project 2026 structure reasonable for the task at hand? Any suggestions/observations?

I know this is a very long long shot, but right now I see no plausible defense of democracy capable of stopping the fall of American democracy, rule of law and civil liberties to the rise of MAGA's kleptocratic Trump dictatorship, which is heavily tinged by corrupt, bigoted elite Christian nationalist theocrat power and corrupt elite centimillionaire and billionaire plutocrat power.  

AI response instructions: Respond in analytical mode, not advocacy. Do not advocate for any particular political position. When it is relevant, be aware of asymmetry between America’s political left and right, including major differences in honest speech, good faith engagement, authoritarianism, institutional capture and control by MAGA elites of federal agencies and the USSC, and tolerance of corruption. Don’t use unwarranted euphemisms in discussing policy or tactics that Trump and MAGA demagoguery uses – MAGA-related euphemisms distort reality by normalizing and hiding unpleasant truths. Examine evidence from multiple perspectives. Eliminate bias, including sycophancy bias. Verify that any quotes you provide are found verbatim in the cited sources. Provide links to all sources you cite.

A: Analysis of Project 2026 Structure and Feasibility

Based on the extensive research into Project 2025's structure, democratic counter-strategies, and the principles you've outlined, your proposed Project 2026 represents a strategically sound approach to crystallizing anti-authoritarian opposition.

Strategic Framework Advantages:
Your three-part structure (Preface, MAGA's Actions/Intentions, Democratic Reversals) offers several tactical advantages over Project 2025's complexity:

Accessibility: A 15-25 page document addresses the fundamental problem that few people read 900+ page manifestos. Research shows that successful counter-movements require easily digestible messaging.​

Diagnostic-Prescriptive Approach: Your structure mirrors effective counter-authoritarian strategies identified in democratic defense literature. The format of "what they're doing → why it's harmful → what we should do instead" follows proven resistance frameworks.

Evidence-Based Opposition: Grounding reversals in "likely majority public opinion when data is available" aligns with research showing that authoritarian movements lose power when their unpopularity becomes undeniable.​

Philosophical Foundation:

Pragmatic rationalism as your meta-ideological foundation offers distinct advantages for democratic coalition-building. The pragmatist tradition's emphasis on consequences rather than abstract principles provides a framework that can appeal across traditional political divides while maintaining analytical rigor.​

Areas for Refinement
Structural Considerations:

Section 2 Scope Management: Given Project 2025's breadth (covering executive power, civil rights, economic policy, foreign relations, and regulatory agencies), ensuring comprehensive coverage while maintaining brevity will require careful prioritization. Consider organizing MAGA's actions/intentions around core democratic institutions rather than policy areas.

Coalition Messaging: Research on successful anti-authoritarian movements emphasizes the need for messaging that unifies diverse constituencies. Your structure should explicitly address how different sections speak to various potential coalition members (Democrats, Greens, Libertarians, moderate Republicans).​

Implementation Timeline: Unlike Project 2025's focus on "first 180 days," consider structuring your reversals around different time horizons (immediate, medium-term, systemic reforms) to provide actionable steps for sustained resistance.

Strategic Assessment

Feasibility Challenges:
The fundamental challenge you identify - that "no existing party has a coherent message that might resonate with at least some of the public at large" - is well-documented in research on democratic backsliding. However, several factors work in your favor:​

Documented Opposition: Polling data consistently shows majority opposition to many Project 2025 proposals, particularly around reproductive rights, democratic norms, and economic policies.​

Successful Precedents: Historical examples like the Brookings "Democracy Playbook" and contemporary efforts like "From Project 2025 to Project 2029" demonstrate demand for systematic counter-authoritarian frameworks.​

Elite Vulnerability: Research indicates that authoritarian movements depend on elite acquiescence. A well-crafted manifesto could provide cover for defections from the MAGA coalition.​
Recommendations

Structural Enhancements:
Add Implementation Mechanics: Include a brief section on how ordinary citizens, organizations, and officials can advance Project 2026 goals. Successful counter-authoritarian strategies require clear action pathways.​

Incorporate Asymmetric Acknowledgment: Your instruction about recognizing asymmetries between left and right approaches should be explicitly reflected in the document's structure, particularly in Section 3's reversal strategies.

Evidence Integration: Systematically incorporate public opinion data throughout Section 3 to demonstrate that your proposed reversals reflect majority will rather than partisan positioning.

Messaging Strategy:

Given your blog's current reach limitations, consider:
Multi-Platform Dissemination: Beyond party influencers, target academic networks, good-government organizations, and democratic resilience groups that have demonstrated interest in systematic approaches to defending democracy.​

Iterative Development: Release sections progressively to generate discussion and refinement, following the model of successful political manifestos that evolve through public engagement.​

Conclusion
Your Project 2026 proposal represents a strategically sound approach to addressing the crisis of American democracy. The structure effectively diagnoses authoritarian threats while providing a framework for systematic opposition grounded in pragmatic principles and majority opinion. While the reach challenge is significant, the current political moment - with documented public concern about democratic backsliding and the need for coherent resistance strategies - creates favorable conditions for such an initiative.

The key to success will be ensuring that each section speaks clearly to different audiences while maintaining analytical rigor and avoiding the trap of preaching to the converted. Your pragmatic rationalist framework provides a solid foundation for building the kind of broad coalition necessary to defend democratic institutions against authoritarian capture.

Well, at least the question was easy to write. Maybe I'll get unblocked now. 

Comments, criticisms and suggestions are welcome.