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 alarming 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.
Related Initiatives
Ethics & International Affairs Journal
Ethics & International Affairs is the quarterly journal of Carnegie Council. It aims to close the gap between the theory and practice of ethics.
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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?
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 ...
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 ...