Joanie Willett
Local elections have just taken place in the UK. Yet despite decades of devolution deals, and various iterations of 'Levelling Up', UK local government remains economically unequal and centralised. The US, by contrast is highly decentralised. Joanie Willett says we can learn from the US about the importance of capacity building, a vibrant civil society, and encouraging people to feel invested in their towns’ future Read more
Mark McKergow
Conventional democracy does not serve the community or neighbourhood level well. We must find alternative ways to facilitate inclusive action, support those seeking to make a difference (often with tiny resources), and build co-operation. Mark McKergow and Jenny Clarke set out key features of neighbourhood democracy, and suggest relevant practices as inspiration Read more
Karen Celis
Fixing numbers is not enough. In their second-generation design for inclusive democracy, Karen Celis and Sarah Childs refashion representation processes to incentivise elected representatives to care more for diverse citizens. The designed-for effects? Experiencing better representation ‘in the round’, the most marginalised feeling recognised by and connected with democratic politics Read more
Justin Kempf
Many political scientists have analysed democratic backsliding. Justin Kempf shows how some are helping activists refine their strategies and tactics to challenge autocrats and the basis of their rule. This provides an example of how political science can do much more than just conducting analysis and providing simple diagnoses Read more
Mary Murphy
Mary Murphy argues that the recovery of democracy is contingent upon enabling participation and recovering trust though a high-energy democracy. We need political and institutional imagination to develop political institutions capable of addressing ecosocial challenges – including sustainability and equality Read more
Petr Špecián
Petr Špecián argues that democracy would benefit from experimenting with alternative institutional designs in simulated digital worlds. By providing a ‘playground’ with well-calibrated stakes, such an approach could accelerate innovation and help navigate democracy through the challenges of the 21st century Read more
Steven Youngblood
Mis- and disinformation are an existential threat to democracy. Steven Youngblood shows how the principles of peace journalism can combat its corrosive effects Read more
Alberto Bitonti
Lobbying regulation is an area where political scientists can help strengthen democracy. We usually analyse the effects of existing regulations, and see why, where, and how they are implemented. But Alberto Bitonti argues we can do much more, helping regulators fix loopholes and understand what they really should aim for Read more
