|
Research and dissemination are hallmarks of the Ash Center’s continuing effort to catalyze innovation and explore the principles and processes of democracy. The Center builds knowledge through an open exchange of ideas and experiences, bringing together government innovators, practitioners, policymakers, scholars, and advocates from around the world to address pressing concerns for improving the lives of citizens. |
Events
Faculty Research
Publications
Public Diplomacy Collaborative
Fellows & Associates
Research News
Democracy Seminar Series
The Democracy Seminar Series brings distinguished speakers to Harvard Kennedy School for the academic year to address critical challenges facing democratic governance. Unless otherwise noted, all seminars will take place in Room 226 of 124 Mt. Auburn, Suite 200-North from 4:10 - 5:30 p.m. Visit the seminar schedule»
Innovations in Government Seminar Series
The Innovations in Government Seminar Series explores key areas in government innovation and avenues for implementing innovative ideas in the public sector. Unless otherwise noted, all seminars will take place in Room 226 of 124 Mt. Auburn, Suite 200-North from 5 - 6:30 p.m. Visit the seminar schedule»
Event Spotlight: Democracy in the 21st Century - Global Challenges and OpportunitiesAt the inaugural panel Democracy in the 21st Century: Global Challenges and Opportunities, Dean Ellwood offered introductory remarks and called the event “a celebration of the next generation of the Ash Center in which we are exposing you to the best thinking going on at Harvard Kennedy School.” HKS scholars and practitioners concentrating on the study of democratic institutions and politics Anthony Saich, Stephen Goldsmith, Alex Keyssar, Archon Fung, and Jane Mansbridge served as panelists. More» |
Beginning in 2004, the Center initiated an annual research grant competition open to all Harvard Kennedy School faculty. While the current application deadline for HKS research and retreat grants has passed, applicants are encouraged to contact Bruce Jackan for details. Visit the following links for additional information concerning the Ash Center's research grant competition:
|
China Rules: Globalization and Political Transformation
The development of the Chinese multinational is a new feature of globalization. This book deals in the first section with the political economy and governance of China. The contemporary discourse of the internationalization of Chinese enterprises is discussed from different theoretical perspectives and shows how it will reshape global competition, and how the new corporate governance structures impact the long-term performance of state-owned enterprises in China. The second section assesses international trade and foreign direct investment (FDI) by Chinese firms and their impact on developed countries. The effects of China's policy and regulatory change on outward FDI are outlined and a Sino-EU Intra-Industry Trade and FDI analysis explores the nature of the challenge facing the EU. Section three describes the developments in certain Chinese industries, such as telecommunications, electronics and automotives, and explains companies and government strategies to gain access to global natural resources. |
The Public Diplomacy (PD) Collaborative is a forum for enhancing purposeful international communication. Its goal is to connect key nodes of public diplomacy practice and put public opinion and public diplomacy research into the hands of practitioners, regardless of location or sector. The PD Collaborative emphasizes discussion, training, scholarship, and publication in the field of public diplomacy as well as the exchange of regional information across sectors, disciplines, and national boundaries. The project seeks to support, improve, and expand public diplomacy efforts in a manner that most successfully promotes democratic governance.
|
Dr. Lan Xue China is currently making the transition from a planned economy to a market economy, from a rural and agricultural society to an urban and industrial society, and from a governance structure based on individual will and charisma to one based on democratic principles and the rule of law. While the first two transitions have made significant progress over the past two decades, the latter one has not. There are increasing concerns that if China’s political reform does not keep pace with its economic reform, China may be turned into a society characterized by corruption, inequality, and social tension. Professor Xue's research will document the current incremental reforms in the public policy process in China, investigate the roles different social institutions have played in these processes, and assess the impacts and limits of these reforms on the political development in China in terms of building infrastructure for democracy. |
|
Dr. Kay Schlozman
Research Scholar, 2006 - 2007 Political arrangements can have consequences for equal citizenship in various ways: for example, by controlling who is considered a citizen or which citizens have the right to participate fully in governing; by facilitating or inhibiting the conversion of market resources into political influence; by creating circumstances in which some votes count more than others; by affecting the likelihood that citizens will be able to elect candidates of their choice; by fostering the representation of particular interests. Through a comparative approach that places American practices in the context of political arrangements in other democracies -- both long-established ones and, where appropriate, emerging ones -- Professor Schlozman's research focuses on the political institutions, procedural rules, and representative arrangements that have implications for democratic equality among citizens. |