Democratic Backsliding: Why Is It Happening? What Can Stop It?
You’re invited to a Global Challenges to Democracy Seminar on democratic backsliding and erosion.
In-Person Event
Ash Center Seminar Room 225, Suite 200, 124 Mount Auburn Street
12:00 pm – 1:15 pm EST
You’re invited to join Susan Stokes, Tiffany and Margaret Blake Distinguished Service Professor and Director of the Chicago Center on Democracy, for a Global Challenges to Democracy seminar.
In the first quarter of the 21st century, two dozen democracies around the world have experienced democratic erosion or backsliding. Elected presidents and prime ministers come to office through fair elections and then begin to undermine their own institutions, hampering the independent press, co-opting courts, silencing opposition in national legislatures, politicizing civil administrations, and clamping down on civil society.
Why are we experiencing a wave of backsliding at this moment in history, and what factors increase a democracy’s risk of backsliding? Susan Stokes will address these questions and explore strategies that can stop the process of democratic erosion.
Lunch will be served starting at 11:45 am. This event will be recorded.
Office Hours
In addition to this event, interested Harvard faculty, fellows, and students can sign up for office hours to meet with Susan Stokes. Slots are first-come, first-served and are available from 2:00 – 4:00pm on March 6.
About the Series
In the span of a few years, democracy has gone from a likely, if distant, destination for much of the world to a far more tenuous prospect. This seminar series, co-chaired by Professors Yanilda María González and Gautam Nair and hosted by the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation, delves deep into the various challenges, both internal and external, that stand in the way of building more accountable, responsive, and capable democracy. Leading scholars of politics provide insights using a wide variety of methods and expertise in countries from across the globe.
Event Details
This event is open to Harvard ID holders only and registration is required.
The Ash Center encourages individuals with disabilities to participate in its events. Should you wish to enquire about an accommodation, please contact our events team at info@ash.harvard.edu prior to the event.
Additional questions? Email the Ash Center events team at info@ash.harvard.edu.