Anxieties of Democracy

Electoral Anxieties: November 3rd and Its Aftermaths

In conversation with SSRC president Alondra Nelson and Anxieties of Democracy program Advisory Committee co-chairs John Ferejohn (New York University) and Deborah Yashar (Princeton University) Watch the Roundtable About the Roundtable The stresses and strains on US democracy, building over decades, have reached an apex with the upcoming presidential election in ways that are unprecedented and daunting. Real fears of voter suppression, unfounded suspicions of voter fraud, and the effects of disinformation hover over November 3, 2020. Genuine uncertainty characterizes what may follow. Will the results be accepted? Will a transition be orderly if the incumbent loses? In recent years, …

SSRC-IFS Workshop: “The Future of Political Parties”

This workshop, held at the Hertie School of Governance in Berlin, was the third in a series of convenings organized as part of a collaboration between the SSRC’s Anxieties of Democracy program and our namesake European partner program, Anxieties of Democracy, at the Swedish Institute for Futures Studies. The workshop explored political parties as an institution, seeking to assess their current state and explore their future. Topics included changes in the typical left-right cleavages of parties, the decline of traditional parties, the rise of populist parties, and the institutional and social contexts shaping political parties today, such as personalism, non-majoritarianism, …

SSRC-IFS Conference: “Democracy and Future Generations”

https://www.iffs.se/en/research/research-projects/anxieties-of-democracy/   This workshop, held in Stockholm, Sweden, was the second convening organized as part of a collaboration between the SSRC’s Anxieties of Democracy program and our namesake Swedish partner program, The Anxieties of Democracy Program. The workshop provided an opportunity for American and European scholars to present research that addressed the ability of democratic polities and institutions to ensure protections and resources for future generations. The workshop was generously supported by the Swedish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences and the Institute for Future Studies.

SSRC-IFS Workshop: “Performance of Democracies”

https://www.bsg.ox.ac.uk/news/democracy-retreat-anxieties-democracy-programme   This workshop, held at Oxford University’s Blavatnik School of Government, was the first in a series of convening’s organized as part of a collaboration between the SSRC’s Anxieties of Democracy program and our namesake Swedish partner program, The Anxieties of Democracy Program. The workshop addressed the question of democratic performance, and why democracies are sometimes outperformed by autocracies. Topics included political legitimacy, socio-economic inequality, control of corruption, and sustainable public finances. The workshop was generously supported by the Swedish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences and the Institute for Future Studies.

SSRC-DFG Workshop: “Polarization, Institutional Design and the Future of Representative Democracy”

http://www.democratic-anxieties.eu/berlin/   This workshop, held in Berlin, Germany, continued the partnership between SSRC’s Anxieties of Democracy program and the Democratic Anxieties project supported by the German Research Foundation (DFG). The workshop provided an opportunity for American and German scholars of political institutions to present their research. Topics included legislative polarization, democratic institutional safeguards, the positives and setbacks of majoritarian institutions, and more.

‘Ways Democracy Can Slip Away,’ a talk by Charles Taylor

The Anxieties of Democracy program is pleased to invite you to its first public 2016 ‘Democracy in the City’ event, at Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute on Monday, October 17, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. Join us and Professor Charles Taylor, our 2016 Democracy Fellow, for this examination of the fragility of democracy on the eve of the 2016 election. Introduced and moderated by the eminent political theorist Nancy Rosenblum, Charles Taylor’s talk, the ensuing dialogue with the audience, and the reception afterward seek to invigorate a thoughtful public conversation about current stressors on democratic theory and practice. You may find a video of the event here. Charles Taylor, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy …

2016 Democracy Seminar with Professor Charles Taylor

As part of his residency with us in 2016, Professor Charles Taylor, the Anxieties of Democracy program’s second Democracy Fellow, led a two-part Seminar on current ‘anxieties of democracy’. Twelve doctoral students, from diverse disciplines and universities, competed for a spot at the table. This year, The New Yorker’s Joshua Rothman was also in attendance, and featured Taylor’s Democracy Seminar and its participants in his widely-circulated piece, ‘How to Restore Your Faith in Democracy.’ Charles Taylor is Emeritus Professor at McGill University and the recipient of the prestigious Berggruen, John W. Kluge, Templeton, and Kyoto prizes, among other honors. Regarded as one of the world’s most prominent political …

‘Democratic Exclusion: A Think-In in Three Acts,’ featuring Charles Taylor

*Update: Although Professor Taylor was unable to join us for this event due to illness, our explorations were carried out, with his blessing. Please enjoy the livestream below. The Anxieties of Democracy program is delighted to invite you to its second public 2016  “Democracy in the City” event, at Civic Hall: on Friday, October 21, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. Please join us for “Democratic Exclusion: A Think-In in Three Acts,” featuring world-renowned political philosopher Charles Taylor in conversation with civic leaders Keesha Gaskins-Nathan, Sarah Leonard, and Tova Wang. Orchestral music conducted by Benjamin Hochman invites further reflection on the theme. Event Live Stream The program:  Democracy, at its roots, means “the power of the …

“Political Equality,” a public talk by Danielle Allen

Renowned scholar, author and political theorist Danielle Allen concluded her activities as the 2017 Democracy Fellow of the SSRC’s Anxieties of Democracy program last week with a public lecture in New York City. Professor Allen presented a powerful, provocative lecture on political equality to a capacity audience at the Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute at Hunter College Nov. 16, followed by a response from NYU Law professor Jeremy Waldron. Following the formal program Professor Allen signed copies of her recent books Cuz: The Life and Times of Michael A and Our Declaration: A Reading of the Declaration of Independence in …

Announcing the 2017-2018 Negotiating Agreement in Congress Grant Recipients

The Anxieties of Democracy program is excited to announce the recipients of the 2018 Negotiating Agreement in Congress Research Grants initiative.  The 2017 Selection Committee elected to make awards to the following scholars: Ruth Bloch Rubin Assistant Professor, Political Science, University of Chicago How Factional Discord Shapes Patterns of Party Leadership and Policymaking in Congress Logan Dancey Assistant Professor, Government, Wesleyan University Caught in the Middle: Congressional Moderates in a Polarized Era Jonathan Lewallen Assistant Professor, Government, University of Tampa Turnover, Agreement, and Dissent in Congressional Committees Mamie Locke Professor, Political Science, Hampton University Strategies of The Congressional Black Caucus …

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