In this third episode of the Global Democracy Series, political scientists Laura Gamboa (University of Utah) and Kurt Weyland (University of Texas at Austin) reflect on the current state of democracy worldwide with Kellogg Institute Doctoral Affiliate Benjamin Francis. The speakers highlight some growing threats to democracy, such as the deleterious effects of economic crises, populism, and moral dilemmas to restraining anti-democratic behavior. They emphasize the importance of strategic decision-making to limit backsliding, as well as various institutional and extra-institutional strategies for protecting democracy.

This episode of our special Global Democracy Series features a conversation between Rachel Riedl, professor of international studies at Cornell University, and Joseph Asunka, chief executive officer at Afrobarometer, along with Kellogg PhD Fellow Rasheed Ibrahim on the recent military coups in Sub-Saharan Africa. They analyze the potential long-term consequences of these coups, the role of the military in democratic governance, the decline in citizens' commitment to democracy, and the structural constraints that limit the military's effectiveness in addressing security challenges.

Political scientist and peacebuilder Jorge Vargas Cullell, a former Kellogg Dissertation Year Fellow, discusses his long-standing connection to Notre Dame and perspective on the field of democratic theory today. Jorge describes his experience directing citizen audits in Costa Rica since the 1990s with the think tank Estado de la Nación, and the many lines of research this organization has produced. Jorge received the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award by the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies. He is interviewed by Kellogg Doctoral affiliate Patrick McQuestion.

As Women's History Month draws to a close, Global Stage presents a discussion among political scientist Abby Córdova, Kellogg Doctoral Student Affiliate Isabel Güiza-Gómez, and undergraduate International Scholar Isabela Tasende about their current research and policy work with the Notre Dame Eliminating Violence Against Women Lab. This recently launched Kellogg policy and practice research lab tackles one of the most pressing questions at the center of democracy and development: how do we effectively address violence against women in contexts where large-scale violence, coupled with entrenched inequalities, increase challenges to women’s civic and political participation, often resulting in forced migration?

Interviewed by Kellogg Doctoral Student Affiliate María Paz Madrid, Notre Dame alumnus Kathleen Osberger talks about her book “I Surrender: A Memoir of Chile’s Dictatorship, 1975,” which recounts her experience in Chile in 1975, two years after a CIA-assisted coup overthrew the democratically-elected president Salvador Allende and installed the Pinochet dictatorship. The book highlights the prominent role of Chilean people in confronting the military dictatorship, paying tribute to victims after 5 decades.

Interviewed by Kellogg Doctoral Student Affiliate Alejandro González, OAS Secretary for Strengthening Democracy Francisco Guerrero discusses emerging and lingering challenges for electoral democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean. Drawing upon his engagement with 49 electoral observation missions in 34 countries, Guerrero highlights the role of organized crime in weakening democracy – as recently seen in Ecuador – and social mobilization against democratic backsliding – as in Guatemala.

Dr. Richard “Drew” Marcantonio sits down with Kellogg Doctoral Student Affiliate Patrick McQuestion to discuss the intricacies of environmental violence and peacebuilding. As a researcher and practitioner focused on regenerative livelihoods and environmental management, Marcantonio provides an ethically-motivated framework for assessing violence produced by economic structures, material interventions, vulnerable infrastructure, and power differentials. Bringing his experience in conflict-affected areas like Sierra Leone and Colombia, his research is grounded in long-term visions for peace and human flourishing amidst a rapidly changing climate.

Global Stage celebrates the 40th anniversary of uninterrupted Democracy in Argentina since 1983, when the country transitioned from authoritarianism to democratic politics. Interviewed by Kellogg PhD Fellow Natán Skigin, Kellogg Institute director and political scientist Anibal Pérez-Liñán and Kellogg Faculty Fellow and political scientist Luis Schiumerini highlight the accomplishments, challenges, and future of Argentine democracy with their expertise in political regimes, parties, elections, and polarization, as well as their personal backgrounds as citizens from Argentina.

Interviewed by Kellogg Doctoral Affiliate William Kakenmaster, political scientist Debra Javeline discusses individual factors that shape post-conflict behavior. Based on her new book "After violence: Russia's Beslan School Massacre and the Peace that Followed," Javeline tackles the question of what individual characteristics might mobilize somebody to either engage in retaliatory violence or peaceful political activism in the aftermath of large-scale violence. Her research shows that, contrary to expected, anger is a healthy civic emotion since it often drives peaceful political activism instead of violence.

Relying on her own research agenda in women’s economic empowerment, economist Lakshmi lyer lays out old and new trends in gender economic studies, highlighting lingering questions on whether economic autonomy increases women decision-making within households and in society at large across different realms. Iyer also introduces the new Kellogg Policy and Practice research lab “Building Inclusive Growth (BIG)” that aims to provide research infrastructure to produce impactful research on development economics and political economy for academic and policy audiences. Interviewed by doctoral student Grace Ortuzar.