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

JUN 26, 2009 Podcast

Global Ethics Corner: France and Burqas

French President Nicolas Sarkozy recently declared that burqas are not welcome in France. To some, the burqa represents the suppression of women. Yet many Muslim ...

Credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dynamosquito/3650479362/">Patrick C.</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

JUN 24, 2009 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: Iran's Revolution Will Come, But This Isn't It

Despite the similarities between the June 2009 protests and those of 1979, speculation that this round will spark another revolution is premature.

JUN 19, 2009 Podcast

Global Ethics Corner: When Are Elections Legitimate?

When are elections legitimate? What about Iran? Elections assume that losers accept results. Because many disagree, can they overturn an election? Should we believe authorities ...

JUN 15, 2009 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: Setting the Bar at 350

Where do we draw the political and ecological lines on climate change? How much carbon will the atmosphere take? Policy Innovations Managing Editor Evan O'Neil ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ctbto/8468260426/">CTBTO</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

MAY 29, 2009 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: Deterrence Beats Diplomacy on North Korea

There are enormous limits as to what Japan, South Korea, and the United States could do about North Korea even if China agreed to follow ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomashawk/3178491939/">Thomas Hawk</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

MAY 22, 2009 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: Mass Incarceration as Social Control

Historians of mass incarceration in the U.S. have long argued for an assessment of the U.S. criminal justice system in terms of human ...

MAY 20, 2009 Podcast

The Media Relations Department of Hizbollah Wishes You a Happy Birthday: Unexpected Encounters in the Changing Middle East

Despite all the bloodshed in its recent history, the Middle East is still a place of warmth, humanity, and generous eccentricity. Within the turmoil there ...

MAY 19, 2009 Podcast

The Geopolitics of Emotion: How Cultures of Fear, Humiliation, and Hope are Reshaping the World

What are the driving emotions behind our cultural differences? How do these varying emotions influence the political, social, and cultural conflicts that roil our world?

African National Congress flag and logo.

MAY 6, 2009 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: Liberation Debt in the New South Africa

Loyalty to the ANC remains strong, despite corruption charges that surrounded presidential candidate Jacob Zuma until recently and cynicism over what the party has been ...

Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force. <br>Photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kamoda/61229055/">Nathan Duckworth</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

MAY 4, 2009 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: Lightweight Japan

Should we be pleased that Japan is gradually stepping up to its responsibilities in global security, or are there better ways for it to help ...