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Diamonstein-Spielvogel Project on the Future of Democracy
Democratic government has been regressing across the globe for more than a decade. Even the United States, the world’s oldest continuous democracy, has seen its democratic norms and practices eroded by rising inequality, populism, political polarization, institutional decay, and misinformation. Other current democracies teeter on the verge of becoming autocracies, potentially producing tectonic shifts in global power and exacerbating economic inequality and social tensions. And the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated many of these trends.
The Diamonstein-Spielvogel Project on the Future of Democracy at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) aims to identify threats to the health of democracies around the globe and to recommend steps that policymakers, business leaders, civil society organizations, and citizens can take to reverse the erosion of democratic norms and values.
This project is made possible by the generous support of the Diamonstein-Spielvogel Foundation.
All CFR Work on Democracy
To see all work on democracy from the Council on Foreign Relations, please click here.
Featured
In Latin America, Your Zip Code—Not Just Your Nationality—Determines Whether You Live in a Democracy
Many big cities are doing well, but in flyover country organized crime and corruption often smother democracy.
A repressive law limiting criticism of the Thai monarchy has placed the current king beyond reproach, but popular discontent with the legislation and the monarchy is growing.
The king of Thailand had seemingly allied with Thailand’s most powerful civilian politician, Thaksin Shinawatra. Now, the alliance may be collapsing—again showing the vast, hidden power of the Thai monarchy.
Against a backdrop of widespread violence, a record number of voters will look to elect Mexico’s first woman president in a June election that polls predict will go to Claudia Sheinbaum.
In his inaugural address, Taiwan’s new president Lai Ching-te signaled broad continuity on cross-strait issues. China, however, is likely to respond with increased pressure.
Despite China’s growing pressure, Taiwan has developed one of the world’s strongest democracies—one that will be increasingly tested in the coming years.
Program Experts
Eni Enrico Mattei Senior Fellow for Middle East and Africa Studies and Director of the International Affairs Fellowship for Tenured International Relations Scholars
Vice President, Deputy Director of Studies, and Nelson and David Rockefeller Senior Fellow for Latin America Studies
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In Latin America, Your Zip Code—Not Just Your Nationality—Determines Whether You Live in a Democracy
Many big cities are doing well, but in flyover country organized crime and corruption often smother democracy. -
Far-right advances in the European Parliament elections have destabilized politics in France, a longstanding pillar of the European Union, and highlighted fault lines in the bloc.
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The European Union’s governing bodies could see a significant shake-up as millions of voters head to the polls across the twenty-seven-member bloc, with consequences for transatlantic ties.
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U.S. administrations have backed sweeping efforts for societal change in the Middle East in recent decades, with poor results. But Washington can still achieve more modest, essential goals in the region.*