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

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/openmedium/7117463025/" target="_blank">Sean Vranizan</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en" target="_blank">CC</a>).

JUL 27, 2012 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: Do Language Policies Contribute to Poverty and Underdevelopment?

In least developed countries, language policy should aim to increase education, productivity, and cohesion, yet many countries have policies that work against these aims.

Robert Malley

JUL 2, 2012 Podcast

The Arab Spring: Unfinished Business

What should we make of Egypt's new president? What should the United States do in Syria? What is the future of the Palestine-Israel conflict? International ...

JUN 29, 2012 Podcast

Global Ethics Corner: Patriotism: Unquestioned Commitment or Dangerous Justification?

Can you acknowledge dissenters as patriots? Can you dissent and still sing the national anthem wholeheartedly? Can you live in a middle ground?

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisawilliams/419083348/">Lisa Williams</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

JUN 28, 2012 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: Globalizing Censorship

Consent of the Network by Rebecca MacKinnon is a must-read on how businesses and governments wield influence over the Internet.

The Leaderless Revolution

JUN 21, 2012 Podcast

The Leaderless Revolution: How Ordinary People Will Take Power and Change Politics in the 21st Century

Countries the world over are suffering from a deficit of democracy, says Carne Ross, and it's not enough just to protest and/or tinker with ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmafielder/6085253584/">Emma Fielder</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

JUN 15, 2012 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: Tired of Waiting for a 21st Century Trade Agreement

A leaked version of the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement reveals that the United States continues to buck a broad consensus in favor of allowing members to ...

JUN 8, 2012 Podcast

Global Ethics Corner: The Ethics of "Citizens United": Does Corporate Cash Threaten Democracy?

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker recently won his recall election and many are saying this is due, in part, to the "Citizens United" decision, which gave ...

The March of the Millions in Moscow, May 6, 2012.<BR> CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ks2891/7149944683/" target="blank">Sergey Kukota</a></p>

JUN 8, 2012 Article

Elections Without Change

According to opinion polls, the majority of Russians still favor Putin for president, despite the evidence  that his latest incumbency is a serious setback for ...

CREDIT: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shawnleishman/2349218847">Shawn Leishman</a> (<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">CC</a>).

MAY 29, 2012 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Innovations: City Development States: Why Lagos Works Better than Nigeria

With a national government plagued by corruption and poisoned by dependence on oil money, state- and city-led development may be the best way for Nigeria ...

Standard of the President of the Russian Federation. <br>CREDIT: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Standard_of_the_President_of_the_Russian_Federation.svg" target="blank">Wikimedia</a>

MAY 11, 2012 Article

Russia Bulletin (2012): Russia Bulletin, Issue 6

As expected, Vladimir Putin's re-election to the presidency has resulted in a torrent of criticism from all sides. Yet David Speedie argues that for many ...