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Rescuing Democracy

May 15, 2023

💊 Local government in the US: lessons for a decentralising UK

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
May 4, 2023

💊 Neighbourhood democracy – why we urgently need new models

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
April 14, 2023

💊 Nonviolent resistance can facilitate a transition from autocracy to democracy

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
April 13, 2023

💊 How institutional imagination can animate high-energy democracy

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
April 3, 2023

💊 A case for democracy’s digital playground

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
March 28, 2023

💊 Misinformation, democracy, and the peace journalism solution

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
March 22, 2023

💊 How lobbying regulation can make democracy work better

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
March 17, 2023

💊 What student government can teach us about democracy

Justin Patrick As student governments experience decline and collapse in the twenty-first century, their importance in contemporary political life should not be underestimated. They serve as valuable resources for political scientists looking to understand democracy at fundamental levels. Justin Patrick argues that we should take them seriously in research and practice Read more

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Advancing Political Science
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