Cultures of Democracy
The widespread democratic discontent and growing misgivings about the "sovereign people" and their elected representatives have prompted scholars of democracy to examine the rise of illiberal populism and probe the causes that drive the apparent demand for authoritarian leaders. This working group aims for something different. Grounded in a commitment to the value of core texts as a springboard for understanding any "current moment," we aim to build a global network of teachers, students, and scholars who are looking for innovative ways to reflect on the current crisis of democracy through sustained engagement with works that transcend geopolitical and disciplinary boundaries: texts both classic and contemporary; texts drawn from within and without the tradition of Western political thought; texts that celebrate democracy, however understood; and texts that critique democracy as a mode of government and as a system of values.
Democratizing Globalization
The Democratizing Globalization working group asks how and to what extent state power persists in globalization processes and how large-scale social relations can be democratized. The goal of the group is to reframe questions about the relationship between politics, culture, and space at a moment when globalization is being profoundly restructured. The focus is on democratic participation in multi-level governance, global production networks, and geopolitical imaginaries. The group consists of international faculty members from many prestigious institutions, including the London School of Economics, Fordham University, National Sun Yat-sen University, University of the Witwatersrand, Indiana University, SOAS University of London, Freie Universität Berlin, and Universidad de los Andes. Members have backgrounds in political economy, history, sociology, political philosophy, anthropology, comparative politics, and international relations.
Europe and Central Asia in the World
Central Asia has not traditionally been a primary focus of the European Union. However, shifting global power dynamics—the growing influence of China and Russia in the region and the fragility of the post–World War II international order—have underscored the importance of examining regional cooperation and democratic governance. The transdisciplinary working group Europe and Central Asia in the World, jointly organized by Bard College Berlin (BCB), the American University of Central Asia (AUCA), Fulda University of Applied Sciences, and the Point Alpha Research Institute, investigates the historical, socio-economic, and legal dimensions of regional collaboration in Europe and Central Asia. The group explores how principles such as accountability, governance, democracy, the rule of law, and gender equality function as parameters of democratic participation in both regions. Combining quantitative and qualitative methods, the research focuses on four key areas: Supranational governance as a model for regional cooperation; the participatory implications of distinct regional histories of gender equality; the relationship between gender and democratic backsliding in Europe and Central Asia; and the enhancement of international investment law as a trust-building tool for economic policy in both regions. Through these comparative approaches, the group promotes interregional learning and contributes to the development of concrete policy recommendations.
Sustainability and the Public Good
The Sustainability and the Public Good working group examines the social and economic challenges (democratic and nondemocratic) societies face in effectively addressing climate change. Its scope spans from the smallest scale—individual pro-environmental behaviors and preferences—to the largest theoretical framework, such as a global government. Taking a multi-institutional perspective, including markets, social norms and regulations, the group deals with various questions, such as how to incentivize climate action and how to improve environmental justice and intergenerational equity. It also examines the extent to which potential solutions depend on the existing political system and how interventions might influence its development. In addressing these questions, the group employs a variety of methods, including surveys, laboratory and field experiments, and theoretical models.