Clientelism, Social Policy, and the Quality of Democracy
International Forum for Democratic Studies Book “There are many reasons for the failure of democracy, but one of the most significant factors is bad governance….the individual benefits that collectively...
Democracy Ideas: Larry Diamond Part II, The Arab Spring & the Future...
DEC 11, 2013 Democracy Ideas: Part II with Larry Diamond, "The Arab Spring and the Future of Democracy" International Forum for Democratic Studies Interview...
Central America Citizen (In)security Index: Improving the...
09:00 AM - 10:30 AM
In Central America, crime and insecurity continue to be the main challenge to democratic governance. Members of RESDAL presented their most recent analysis of the security situation in Central America explained their standardized index. The index allows for cross-country comparisons and provides crucial information for developing a regional approach towards crime. Members discussed what their findings mean for democracy in Central America and answered questions such as, what consequences do high levels of criminality and insecurity have for progress toward democracy? How can civil society promote greater interaction among governments in the region?
30th Anniversary Celebration
10:00 AM - 02:00 PM
The National Endowment for Democracy celebrated 30 years of supporting freedom and democracy around the world with a ceremony at the National Archives in Washington, DC. The event featured welcoming remarks by Speaker of the House of Representatives John Boehner and Democratic House Leader Nancy Pelosi.
Viva Belarus! film premiere and panel discussion
01:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Based on the true story of Franak Viachorka and Belarusian youth activists, the film Viva Belarus! depicts the life and fate of nonconformist youth living in “Europe’s last dictatorship.” The film was followed by a panel discussion on the role of youth in pushing for positive change in Belarus, lead by experts in the field.
10th Annual Lipset Lecture: Ethnic Power-Sharing and Democracy:...
06:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Donald L. Horowitz, James B. Duke Professor of Law and Political Science Emeritus, Duke University presented his lecture, "Ethnic Power-Sharing and Democracy: Three Big Problems" as the tenth annual The Seymour Martin Lipset Lecture on Democracy in the World.
Two Faces of Chinese Media: International Expansion, Internal...
02:00 PM - 03:30 PM
China has elevated media into a major component of its international grand strategy, yet censorship within China's borders and pressure on news organizations outside of China impede independent reporting about China itself. This CIMA panel discussion focused on this dichotomy and marked the launch of CIMA's two reports: CCTV's International Expansion: China's Grand Strategy for Media and The Long Shadow of Chinese Censorship: How the Communist Party's Media Restrictions Affect News Outlets Around the World.
Russia: A Postmodern Dictatorship?
04:00 PM - 05:30 PM
Christian Caryl moderated a conversation on how this new authoritarianism works inside Russia, what it means for relationships with the West, and how it affects what Russia’s leadership views as its “near abroad.” The discussion was based on “Russia: A Postmodern Dictatorship?” by Peter Pomerantsev. This was the first in a series of studies commissioned jointly by the Legatum Institute and the Institute of Modern Russia to analyze the challenges of transition in the former Soviet Union.
Crisis in the Central African Republic
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
On March 24, 2013, the Seleka rebels seized control of the capital of the Central African Republic (CAR), Bangui, forcing President Francois Bozize to flee. Current President Michel Djotodia faces the difficult task of restoring order and organizing elections once the 18-month transition period expires. The Central African legislature and civil society members discussed the latest crisis situation in the Central African Republic, impacting the Great Lakes region as a whole
The Role of Economics in Democratic Transitions: Kenya
04:00 PM - 05:30 PM
The Kenya case study is the third lecture in a series on “The Role of Economics in Democratic Transitions” organized by the Legatum Institute, the National Endowment for Democracy’s International Forum for Democratic Studies, and World Affairs that explores the link between economic reform and political transitions.
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