Democracy

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 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.

Explore Our Democracy Resources

SEP 26, 2012 Podcast

The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion

"Haidt is one of the smartest and most creative psychologists alive, and his newest book, "The Righteous Mind," is a tour de force--a brave, brilliant ...

SEP 24, 2012 Podcast

Ethics Matter: Dambisa Moyo on How Aid to Africa is Harmful

Aid has failed to create economic growth, says Moyo, and allows governments to evade their responsibilities. So when people say that aid provides essential services, ...

Restless Empire: China and the World Since 1750

SEP 20, 2012 Podcast

Restless Empire: China and the World Since 1750

In this astute analysis, Westad explains China's international relations over the last 250 years from a Chinese perspective, providing valuable insights into its current and future ...

Yukichi Fukuzawa. CREDIT: <a href=http://www.flickr.com/photos/naoyafujii/3292444763>Naoya Fujii</a> <a href=http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/deed.en>(CC)</a>

AUG 30, 2012 Article

Home Alone?

What is it like to be liberal in East Asia? Is liberalism a specifically Western ideology, or does it embody universal norms? The old dispute ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/billburris/2271319929/">Bill Burris</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

AUG 15, 2012 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: Repairing the Shattered Sky

A new film looks at American leadership during the ozone crisis and compares it to the situation with global warming today. The clock is ticking ...

AUG 10, 2012 Podcast

Global Ethics Corner: Is Censorship Ever Justified?

From jailing bloggers in Ethiopia to legislating religion-neutral clothing in France, censorship takes many forms. Is censorship ever warranted, even if it's used to promote ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42507736@N02/5842782525/in/photostream">Steve Dunleavy</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

AUG 10, 2012 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: Can Bioregionalism Go Global Before Collapse?

Bioregionalism proposes an alternative future in which overconsumption is drastically reduced, the natural environment is preserved, and proactive measures are taken to provide basic needs.

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42507736@N02/5981411543/in/photostream/">Steve Dunleavy</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

AUG 9, 2012 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: The Practice of Bioregionalism

Through local governance, appropriate technologies, and the occasional confederation for solving big problems, bioregionalism promotes human flourishing along with natural sustainability.

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42507736@N02/5957956718/">Steve Dunleavy</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

AUG 3, 2012 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: Building Bioregional Politics for an Ecological Civilization

The developed countries need to learn to live more sustainably within the confines of the local resources available to them rather than exploiting the resources ...

JUL 27, 2012 Podcast

Global Ethics Corner: Do Stricter Gun Controls Reduce Gun-Related Violence?

The gun control debate in the United States has been revived in the wake of the Aurora massacre. With thousands of firearm-related homicides each year ...