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

DEC 4, 2009 Podcast

Democracy and Waging War

In a difficult and protracted war democracies may accept a draw due to a lack of public support. If you were caught between bowing to ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jpeepz/220631940/">Jay Peeples</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

NOV 25, 2009 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: Contested Governance in a Global-Corporate World

Can nation-states, global corporations, and civil society alliances stabilize in a new form of effective global governance?

NOV 24, 2009 Podcast

Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do?

Political philosopher Michael Sandel turns the Council into a classroom. Using questions such as military service, he engages the audience in a lively debate on ...

Yukio Hatoyama. Credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/worldeconomicforum/3886448885/">WEF</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

NOV 13, 2009 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: A Close Relationship Requires Compromise

The most important accomplishment of President Obama's trip to Japan would be to reassure Prime Minister Hatoyama that the tensions around Marine Corps Air Station ...

NOV 13, 2009 Podcast

Your Income, Your Liberty, and Your Equality?

Inequality in America has been accelerating rapidly since the 1980s. But capping income levels could put liberty and competitiveness at risk. This short video on ...

OCT 23, 2009 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: How The Yes Men Fix the World

What can it tell us about our system of business ethics when two pranksters emulate corporations acting at their worst and best?

OCT 20, 2009 Podcast

David Speedie Interviews Baroness Shirley Williams: A View from the United Kingdom on Transatlantic Relations

In a wide-ranging conversation, Baroness Williams discusses the Obama administration's foreign policy; the situation in Afghanistan and in Iran; U.S. and British politics, including ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/debaird/2973069800/">Derek Baird</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

OCT 20, 2009 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Innovations: The Land Ethic

An economic restructuring based on a full understanding of the role of economic rent is needed for a new economic framework beyond both the old ...

OCT 6, 2009 Podcast

Crude World: The Violent Twilight of Oil

From Ecuador to Nigeria, in most oil-producing countries oil has not brought any benefits to the poor and has often damaged people's health and ruined ...

SEP 22, 2009 Podcast

Losing the News: The Future of the News That Feeds Democracy

"Internet culture values speed over accuracy, edge over fairness and balance, and above all, entertainment value above importance and significance. We can be overfed but ...