Research Themes

agree or disagree conversation Populism and Polarization:

The Defending Democracy Lab is interested in advancing research projects that examines under what conditions voters are more likely to support populist candidates, how populism intersects with political polarization to shape public opinion and voter attitudes, and the longer-term consequences of populist governance.

 

researchStrategies of Democratic Resistance: 

Research on this theme intersects with the substantial body of work on democratic backsliding in comparative perspective. Research projects will examine ways of characterizing sustained social mobilization and tracing its longer-term impacts, specifying oppositional dilemmas under growing autocratic conditions, and exploring the range of tactics that political actors can take to counter democratic backsliding.

 

discussionMechanisms of Democratic Renewal:

Research on this theme studies novel ways by which democratic participation can become more meaningful and inclusive. Projects will critically engage with emerging anti-democratic and anti-liberal discourse, expanding modalities of indigenous governance at the state and national level, and novel forms of democratic experimentation and reform.