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://flickr.com/photos/hleung/2108818972/">HKmPUA</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

AUG 11, 2008 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Innovations: The Greening of Islamic Politics

For centuries, Muslims considered Indonesia to be Islam's most distant outpost. Yet this diffuse country with multiple identities is leading the way in the greening ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/riacale/1351747614/">Zack Lee</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

JUL 28, 2008 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Innovations: A United Nations Parliamentary Assembly Could Drive Global Innovation

As a hinge between parliaments, civil society, the UN, and governments, a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly could become an important catalyst for the reform and ...

Security camera, friend or foe? Photo by <br><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/thomashawk/32557536/">Thomas Hawk</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

JUN 25, 2008 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: U Made an Illegal U-Turn

The South Korean metropolis of New Songdo is slated to be the world's largest "ubiquitous city," with tracking devices everywhere. The entrenchment of social surveillance ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/nadio/818855894/">nadi0</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

JUN 24, 2008 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: Ready or Not, Here Comes the World

More than one country that is about to host a prestigious sporting event is facing international criticism over human rights and diplomacy.

Pro-MDC expatriates in South Africa. <br>Photo by <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/sokwanele/1380821576/in/set-72157602012405157/">Sokwanele-Zimbabwe</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

JUN 11, 2008 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: Diplomatically Quiet on Zimbabwe

Matthew Hennessey interviews Patrick Bond, director of the Centre for Civil Society at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, on post-election unrest in Zimbabwe ...

MAY 29, 2008 Podcast

Olympic Mettle: Business, Civil Society, and Politics During the Beijing Games

An expert panel discusses the ethics of engagement with China in the context of the Olympics. What lasting positive or negative effects, if any, will ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/joka2000/98211504/">Jun</a>   (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

MAY 28, 2008 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: Unsustainable Inequities

Left unchanged, the U.S.-Japan alliance will drift into irrelevance, and the United States will lose an important component of its Asia policy just ...

MAY 16, 2008 Podcast

New Media and Chinese Nationalism

Journalist Thomas Crampton looks at how Chinese nationalism is being expressed in new digital media, including what he calls "user-generated propaganda" on YouTube and anti-foreigner ...

A public phone in Cuba. <br>Photo by <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/pauljoyce/2289007314/">Paul Joyce</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

MAY 13, 2008 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: Calling for Change in Cuba

Raul Castro's decision allowing Cubans to purchase prepaid cell phone plans may foster new liberty on the communist island.

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chopstixmedia/185039727/">Ian Fenn</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

MAY 13, 2008 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: Hu's Dumpling Diplomacy

James Farrer interviews Japanese political scientist Koichi Nakano on the significance of Chinese President Hu Jintao's May 2008 visit to Japan.