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Political Theory

🦋 The ‘Fourth Theorist’ and the future of democracy  

October 3, 2025

🦋 On democracy’s 'Fourth Theorist' 

September 25, 2025

🦋 Plain democracy: reclaiming fundamentals in an age of democratic erosion

September 8, 2025

🦋 Shift happens: rethinking democracy research in times of crisis

August 14, 2025

Polarisation begins in political discourse, and that’s what makes it dangerous for democracy

August 7, 2025
August 1, 2025

🦋 The Science of Democracy and the limits of an uncompromisingly pluralist approach

Jonas Wolff Democracy is in trouble, and so is democracy research. In response, the Science of Democracy 2.0 lays out an ambitious agenda. While applauding this endeavour, Jonas Wolff explores a fundamental tension: is a radically pluralist approach to democracy research a tool to defend democracy? Read more
July 25, 2025

Relational design for democracy and governance

Erica Dorn Erica Dorn and Sofía Bosch Gómez argue that citizen disillusionment with democratic systems presents designers with an important opportunity. Moving beyond digital interfaces, relational design reimagines governance by prioritising equity, legitimacy, and collective care. Designers help shape who belongs, who decides, and the potential in participatory, inclusive, and systemic interventions  Read more
July 24, 2025

🦋 What counts as democracy? A critical reflection on The Science of Democracy 2.0

Hong Do The Science of Democracy 2.0 offers a bold, innovative rethinking of democracy by embracing diversity and challenging Western-centric models. Hong Do acknowledges its ambition, but argues it risks romantic pluralism by celebrating traditions without fully addressing embedded inequalities and power hierarchies within them Read more
July 15, 2025

🦋 Science of Democracy 2.0

Jean-Paul Gagnon To kickstart another round of essays, Jean-Paul Gagnon recaps four years’ worth of discussions in The Loop's Science of Democracy series. He explains where this ever-growing community of scholars has got to so far – and where it aims to go next Read more
April 25, 2025

The democratic purpose of social media: empowering civil society

Markus Patberg Many are calling for for reforms to social media platforms that will strengthen their democratic function. But to meaningfully reshape online platforms, we first need to determine their democratic purpose. Our goal, argues Markus Patberg, should be to empower civil society Read more

The Loop

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Advancing Political Science
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