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.

Introducing “Voices from the 2024 Global Democracy Conference,” a special series from Global Stage featuring panelists and students who participated in the inaugural GDC, hosted by the Kellogg Institute between May 20-22, 2024. In this introductory episode, Kellogg Institute Director Aníbal Pérez-Liñán is interviewed by doctoral affiliates and Global Stage co-organizers Isabel Güiza-Gómez and Patrick McQuestion on his take-aways from the conference proceedings. Pérez-Liñán describes the motivation behind organizing this international conference, reflects on some key moments and debates, and describes plans for the next GDC in 2025.

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.

Interviewed by Kellogg Doctoral Affiliate Victoria Basulto, historian Jaime Pensado discusses his recently published book entitled “Love and Despair. How Catholic Activism Shaped Politics and the Counterculture in Modern Mexico.” The book explores how progressive and conservative Catholic actors were invested in state repression, youth activism, and counterculture in Cold War Mexico.

Para conmemorar el mes de las luchas de las mujeres, la politóloga Abby Córdova junto con la afiliada doctoral Isabel Güiza-Gómez y la estudiante de pregrado Isabela Tasende discuten sobre la investigación y el trabajo de política pública del Laboratorio para la Eliminación de la Violencia contra la Mujer. Este laboratorio del Instituto Kellogg fue recientemente lanzado y está dirigido a comprender una de las preguntas más apremiantes sobre democracia y desarrollo: ¿Cómo podemos resolver de forma efectiva la violencia contra la mujer en contextos donde la violencia criminal a gran escala y las profundas desigualdades incrementan los riesgos para la participación política de la mujer y usualmente conllevan a su migración forzada?

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.