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

Made in China flag

AUG 12, 2010 Article

China's State Capitalism Poses Ethical Challenges

In China, robust growth is a good thing, as long as it doesn't undermine the leadership's monopoly hold on political power. The Chinese leadership will ...

JUL 27, 2010 Podcast

Taiwan: Building Partnerships for Asia-Pacific Economic Integration

Since 2008, Taiwan has quietly pursued new political and economic initiatives with China, and the likelihood of conflict across the Taiwan Strait has diminished. What are ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomashawk/2326826494/">Thomas Hawk</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

JUL 26, 2010 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: Diversifying Diplomacy

Independent Diplomat's goal of giving diplomatic assistance on a not-for-profit basis fills a niche in international politics and may broaden the understanding of diplomacy in ...

JUL 9, 2010 Podcast

Global Ethics Corner: Mexico: Violence and Democracy

Must governments meet violence with an authoritarian response? In the recent Mexican election, citizens could demand a crackdown on druglords at the price of personal ...

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ramananv/2523861065/" target=_blank">"Wilted"</a> by Krosstok (CC)

JUL 1, 2010 Article

The Bloom is off the Rose--and the Orange, and the Tulip

What went wrong with the "Color Revolutions" in Ukraine, Georgia, and Kyrgyzstan? It was a combination of excessive expectations of the new leaders, and some ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37degrees/3482554236/">Romel Jacinto</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

JUN 30, 2010 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: Migrant Detention Leads to Harm

Detention is costly in economic and human terms. If EU states wish to sustain their migration management policies, they will have to rely more on ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bswise/4457290211/">B. S. Wise</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

JUN 22, 2010 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: Pragmatic Overdose

The Obama administration is trying to redefine and energize U.S. global development policy, but so far their vision lacks creativity and clear ethics.

Reset:  Iran, Turkey, and America

JUN 22, 2010 Podcast

Reset: Iran, Turkey, and America's Future

Stephen Kinzer argues that the United States needs to rethink its alliances in the Middle East and focus on strategic relationships with Iran and Turkey ...

MAY 10, 2010 Podcast

Open Primaries: William Vocke Interviews Abel Maldonado, Lieutenant Governor of California

Under the current system, California has a deadlocked, polarized legislature that can't get anything done, says Lt. Gov. Maldonado. The solution is to create an ...

APR 30, 2010 Podcast

Global Ethics Corner: British Elections: To Represent or to Govern?

Should election results accurately reflect public opinion or should elections promote effective governance?