Framing ethical perspectives
Democracy is a form of government in which political control is given to the people, whether directly or through the election of governing officials. Currently, large numbers of people have lost faith in this form of government and some elected officials have been working to dismantle democratic institutions. Our programs, events, and experts strive to better understand this alarming development.
Featured Democracy Resources
State of global democracy, U.S. global engagement, and more
JUN 9, 2021 • Podcast
Illiberal Democracy on the Rise: Examining Brazil, Hungary, & India
APR 19, 2022 • Podcast
Why Democracy vs. Autocracy Misses the Point, with Jean-Marie Guéhenno
Senior Fellow Anja Kapsersen is joined by Professor Jean-Marie Guéhenno for a conversation about virtual communities and the advent of the age of data.
FEB 23, 2024 • Article
What Do We Mean When We Talk About "AI Democratization"?
With numerous parties calling for "AI democratization," Elizabeth Seger, director of the CASM digital policy research hub at Demos, discusses four meanings of the term.
Related Initiatives
Ethics & International Affairs Journal
Ethics & International Affairs is the quarterly journal of Carnegie Council. It aims to close the gap between the theory and practice of ethics.
Explore Our Democracy Resources
JAN 28, 2014 • Podcast
The Second Arab Awakening and the Battle for Pluralism
Jordanian diplomat and scholar Marwan Muasher surveys the situation across the Arab world. He sees reasons for optimism in the long run, particularly in Tunisia, ...
DEC 18, 2013 • Podcast
The Confidence Trap: A History of Democracy in Crisis from World War I to the Present
Democracy is petty, trivial, and short-termist, says David Runciman. But having survived world wars and financial shocks over the last 100 years, it's also the most ...
DEC 3, 2013 • Article
Ethics on Film: Discussion of "The Fifth Estate"
"The Fifth Estate" tells the story of Julian Assange and his Wikileaks organization. Since the story is still ongoing, was it too early to make ...
NOV 27, 2013 • Podcast
My Promised Land: The Triumph and Tragedy of Israel
Speaking just after the November 23 nuclear deal with Iran, Ari Shavit is skeptical: "The question is: Is it an act of creating the time to ...
NOV 27, 2013 • Podcast
The Constitution Project: Task Force Report on Detainee Treatment
In many instances, U.S. forces used interrogation techniques which constitute torture; the nation's most senior officials bear ultimate responsibility; and there is no evidence ...
NOV 26, 2013 • Podcast
Informing the News: The Need for Knowledge-Based Journalism
Journalists sorely need more expertise in the topics they report on, such as business, education and geopolitics, says Thomas Patterson, Bradlee Professor of Government and ...
NOV 22, 2013 • Podcast
Ethics Matter: A Conversation with Online Activist Ricken Patel
A brilliant student, Ricken Patel could have had a stellar career in any field he wished. Instead he chose to live among the poor in ...
NOV 21, 2013 • Podcast
Symposium at the Scottish Parliament: From War to a Global Ethic
Is it possible to create a global code of ethics? In this Carnegie Council Centennial Symposium at the Scottish Parliament, the panelists discuss Andrew Carnegie's ...
NOV 12, 2013 • Podcast
Citizenship Within and Across Nations
Philosopher Kwame Anthony Appiah explores the role of civic honor, and its negative counterpart, shame, in shaping the political behavior of individuals and of nations, ...
NOV 5, 2013 • Podcast
Ethics Matter: A Conversation with Writer Kurt Andersen
Journalist, novelist, entrepreneur, cultural critic, award-winning radio broadcaster--all of these describe Kurt Andersen. In this lively conversation, he talks about his career (including being fired ...