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 25, 2003 Article

Democratic Development and Reckoning with the Past: The Case of Spain in Comparative Context

Boyd and Crocker discuss Spain as a case study of the problems raised by the process of development and democratization in a country that must ...

At War with Ourselves:  Why America Is Squandering Its Chance to Build a Better World by Michael Hirsh

JUN 4, 2003 Transcript

At War with Ourselves: Why America Is Squandering Its Chance to Build a Better World

The world’s remaining superpower has failed to grasp the importance of its global leadership responsibilities, argues Michael Hirsch. Assuming a leadership position within a ...

The New Chinese Empire and What It Means for the United States by Ross Terrill

MAY 14, 2003 Transcript

The New Chinese Empire: And What It Means for the United States

Our interests with China are peace, prosperity, and mutual exchange between two great countries and civilizations with openness for business, for students, for the professions. ...

Detail from book cover.

APR 30, 2003 Transcript

The Piratization of Russia: Russian Reform Goes Awry

How did a small group of Russian oligarchs manage to amass incredible fortunes in the short period following the end of the Cold War? Marshall ...

FEB 4, 2003 Transcript

Of Paradise and Power: America vs. Europe in the New World Order

The widening military gap between Europe and the United States has an unavoidable effect, says Robert Kagan. "It is a natural human phenomenon that if ...

MAR 25, 2002 Article

Human Rights Dialogue (1994–2005): Series 2, No. 7 (Winter 2002): Integrating Human Rights and Peace Work: Articles: Taking the Reconciliatory Route

Ivana Vuco describes the need for flexible human rights strategies in the search for peace and justice in the fragile democracy of Nigeria. Bonny Ibhawoh ...

Bad Elements: Chinese Rebels from Los Angeles to Beijing by Ian Buruma

DEC 5, 2001 Transcript

Bad Elements: Chinese Rebels from Los Angeles to Beijing

The Chinese government sees itself as the caretaker of the entire "cosmic order" in China and views democracy as a destabilizing force that would cause ...

NOV 2, 2001 Transcript

Human Rights as Politics and Idolatry

Human rights scholar Michael Ignatieff happened to be in Kabul when the Taliban came to power. He has never forgotten his conversations with Afghan women ...

Julie Mertus

OCT 16, 2001 Transcript

Considering Elections in Kosovo: Lessons Learned from Bosnia

An edited transcript of remarks delivered by Julie Mertus, an expert on international law and the Balkans, at a 10/16/01 Council-sponsored Balkans Forum at Georgetown University.

Julie Mertus

OCT 16, 2001 Podcast

Considering Elections in Kosovo: Lessons Learned from Bosnia

An edited transcript of remarks delivered by Julie Mertus, an expert on international law and the Balkans, at a 10/16/01 Council-sponsored Balkans Forum at Georgetown University.