Democracy, Conflict, and Governance
Democracy, Conflict, and Governance
About the Program

The Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program is a leading source of independent policy research, writing, and outreach on global democracy, conflict, and governance. It analyzes and seeks to improve international efforts to reduce democratic backsliding, mitigate conflict and violence, overcome political polarization, promote gender equality, and advance pro-democratic uses of new technologies.

Program experts

Saskia Brechenmacher

Senior Fellow, Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program

Thomas Carothers

Harvey V. Fineberg Chair for Democracy Studies; Director, Democracy, Conflict and Governance Program

Mariano-Florentino (Tino) Cuéllar

President, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Steven Feldstein

Senior Fellow, Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program

Francis Fukuyama

Nonresident Scholar, Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program

Brittany Gleixner-Hayat

Visiting Scholar, Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program

Rachel Kleinfeld

Senior Fellow, Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program

Beatriz Magaloni

Nonresident Scholar, Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program

Jennifer McCoy

Nonresident Scholar, Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program

Mara Revkin

Nonresident Scholar, Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program

Oliver Stuenkel

Visiting Scholar, Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program

Milan Vaishnav

Director and Senior Fellow, South Asia Program

Sarah Yerkes

Senior Fellow, Middle East Program

Richard Youngs

Senior Fellow, Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program

Latest work
In The Media
in the media
Brazil’s Civil Society Deterred a Coup and Calmed Tensions

Quick and transparent results, holding political actors accountable, curbing disinformation, and fostering cross-party collaboration are tools that any democracy can use to defuse tensions.

Foreign Policy
In The Media
in the media
Is Democracy Failing to Deliver?
The People, Power, Politics podcast
In The Media
in the media
BRICS: A Shared Discontent
Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
collection
U.S. Democracy Under Pressure

In recent years, multiple international indices have downgraded U.S. democracy.  Polarization, accusations of voting irregularities, political violence, and other negative trends are having a corrosive influence on the state of U.S. democracy and leaders’ ability to govern, address domestic problems, and craft stable policies.  This project brings together the work of scholars across the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace who analyze the problems afflicting U.S. democracy based on comparative perspectives and offer insights that can strengthen U.S. governing institutions and society.

see the collection
collection
U.S. Democracy Under Pressure

In recent years, multiple international indices have downgraded U.S. democracy.  Polarization, accusations of voting irregularities, political violence, and other negative trends are having a corrosive influence on the state of U.S. democracy and leaders’ ability to govern, address domestic problems, and craft stable policies.  This project brings together the work of scholars across the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace who analyze the problems afflicting U.S. democracy based on comparative perspectives and offer insights that can strengthen U.S. governing institutions and society.

see the collection
Digital Feature

Explore the Global Protest Tracker

A one-stop source for following crucial trends in the most significant antigovernment protests worldwide since 2017.

All work from Democracy, Conflict, and Governance

filters
1805 Results
in the media
Brazil’s Civil Society Deterred a Coup and Calmed Tensions

Quick and transparent results, holding political actors accountable, curbing disinformation, and fostering cross-party collaboration are tools that any democracy can use to defuse tensions.

· November 1, 2024
Foreign Policy
in the media
Is Democracy Failing to Deliver?

Democracies the world over are not being undone by disenchanted citizens but by leaders with predatory political ambitions that use all opportunities to defy constraints to their power.

· October 31, 2024
The People, Power, Politics podcast
in the media
Rising Authoritarianism and Plutocracy Are a Dangerous Mix for Press Freedom

The pre-willingness of America’s billionaire class to grovel before a strongman, even before they are forced to comply, shows just how quickly freedom of the press in America is likely to fold when confronted with any significant pressure.

· October 30, 2024
Just Security
in the media
BRICS: A Shared Discontent

The 16th BRICS Summit, which took place in the Russian city of Kazan, proved to be a symbolic diplomatic victory for Vladimir Putin. 

· October 24, 2024
Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
in the media
Brazil’s BRICS Balancing Act Is Getting Harder

Since Brazil co-founded the BRICS in 2009, Brazilian analysts and politicians have largely agreed that membership brought tangible benefits to the country—including closer ties to China. But as this year’s summit approaches, the costs are adding up. 

· October 21, 2024
America’s Quarterly
in the media
What Is the Potential for Political Violence Post-Election and Now?

A conversation about the potential for violence in these final days leading up to the election and in the days and weeks after Nov. 5.

· October 21, 2024
Here & Now (WBUR)
in the media
Trump Has His Own Monroe Doctrine

A second Trump presidency would likely see the return of more explicit U.S. pressure on Latin American countries to pick sides in the brewing competition between the United States and China. That could create considerable friction in the region.

· October 17, 2024
Foreign Policy
in the media
When Populists Rise, Economies Usually Fall

Populists undermine the operating environment capitalism depends on—most notably, free competition and a predictable rule of law.

· October 10, 2024
Harvard Business Review
Group of primarily Black individuals hold flags, including Ethiopian and U.S. flags
paper
U.S. Support for Democratic Openings in Conflict-Affected Countries: Lessons From Ethiopia and Sudan

When conflict-affected countries have a democratic opening, U.S. policymakers need to better understand and incorporate the many factors at play—local actors and power structures, emerging powers and their interests, and competing U.S. interests, among others.

· October 2, 2024
in the media
Why Sheinbaum May Take a Different Path on Mexico’s Security

No other issue is more pressing for Mexicans than public security. The start of a new presidential term offers President Claudia Sheinbaum an opportunity to consider and test a different approach than her predecessors.

· October 1, 2024
Americas Quarterly
In The Media
in the media
Is Democracy Failing to Deliver?
· October 31, 2024
The People, Power, Politics podcast
In The Media
in the media
BRICS: A Shared Discontent
· October 24, 2024
Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
In The Media
in the media
Brazil’s BRICS Balancing Act Is Getting Harder
· October 21, 2024
America’s Quarterly
In The Media
in the media
Trump Has His Own Monroe Doctrine
· October 17, 2024
Foreign Policy
In The Media
in the media
When Populists Rise, Economies Usually Fall
· October 10, 2024
Harvard Business Review
In The Media
in the media
Why Sheinbaum May Take a Different Path on Mexico’s Security
· October 1, 2024
Americas Quarterly