Feature
Global Challenges to Democracy Seminar Series Recap (AY 2025-2026)
Key takeaways from the Ash Center’s 2025–2026 seminar series on navigating global threats to modern democracy.
Video
Preventing Rebel Resurgence after Civil War
This Global Challenges to Democracy Seminar Series event featured Michael Weintraub, Associate Professor in the Escuela de Gobierno at Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia, and Director of the Security and Violence Area of the Center for the Study of Security and Drugs (CESED).
Related Resources
Commentary
The Democratic Dismantling of Democracies: How Leaders Undermine the Systems That Elect Them
A recent panel discussion explored global patterns of democratic backsliding, focusing on the experiences of Venezuela, Thailand, and the United States. Moderated by Archon Fung, director of the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation, the conversation shared insights into how democratically elected leaders systematically erode checks and balances to consolidate power. The panelists highlighted common tactics of democratic erosion, and also strategies for safeguarding democracy.
Video
Why Citizens Don’t Hold Politicians Accountable for Air Pollution
This Global Challenges to Democracy Seminar Series event featured Tariq Thachil, Professor, Madan Lal Sobti Chair for the Study of Contemporary India; Director, Center for Advanced Study of India; University of Pennsylvania. Urban citizens in low-income democracies rarely hold elected officials accountable for toxic air. To understand why, Thachil discussed a recent paper co-authored by Shikhar Singh.