Democracy's problems and possibilities

Despite the historically great success of democracy, today we can see a decline. There is also the doubt that democracy is able to tackle the most important problems of our time. In this area, the real threats to democracy are examined, as are the ways in which democracy can develop.

Political developments in recent years as well as the global climate crisis have made innovative reflection on the organization and value of democracy increasingly urgent. Despite the great success of democracy in the last century, there is now growing concern that this system is entering a crisis. The representative democracy seem to be incapable of dealing with some of today's most burning issues, such as the climate crisis and growing economic and social inequalities. It has also proved difficult to ensure a political control of public activities that is both effective and able to protect central democratic and ethical values. All in all, many believe that the position of democracy as "the best form of government" is under threat.

However, research results in this area are difficult to interpret and the analyzes already made need to be deepened. This theme therefor aims to examine actual and possible threats to democracy, current and future problems with democracy, and how democracy can be developed in the future.

This theme includes:

  • the boundary problem
  • political and economic elites
  • expert reports and their consequences
  • evidence-based decision-making
  • the role of experts
  • polarization

Research leaders: Ludvig Beckman and Folke Tersman

Research project

Researchers

Kari Andén-Papadopoulos
Kari Andén-Papadopoulos
Professor in Media and Communication Studies
Emil Andersson
Emil Andersson
PhD, Philosophy
Vuko Andric
Vuko Andric
PhD, Philosophy
Gustaf Arrhenius
Gustaf Arrhenius
Director and Professor, Practical Philosophy
Karin Bäckstrand
Karin Bäckstrand
Professor, Environmental Social Science
Ludvig Beckman
Ludvig Beckman
Professor, Political Science
Andreas Duit
Andreas Duit
Professor, Political Science
Malcolm Fairbrother
Malcolm Fairbrother
Professor, Sociology
Erica Falkenström
Erica Falkenström
PhD, Education
Carolina Frände
Carolina Frände
Artistic researcher
Bob Goodin
Bob Goodin
Distinguished Professor, Philosophy
Axel Gosseries
Axel Gosseries
PhD, Philosophy (Louvain), LL.M. (London)
Ian Higham
Ian Higham
PhD, Political Science
Staffan Julén
Staffan Julén
Head of communications, Artistic Researcher
Faradj Koliev
Faradj Koliev
PhD, Political Science
Kristian Lasslett
Kristian Lasslett
Professor of Criminology
Patrik Lindenfors
Patrik Lindenfors
Associate Professor of Zoological Ecology
Magnus Linton
Magnus Linton
Author and journalist
Theodora Moldovan
Theodora Moldovan
Bachelor's degree in Statistics and Data Science
Ulf Mörkenstam
Ulf Mörkenstam
Professor in Political Science
Graham Oddie
Graham Oddie
Professor, Philosophy
Olle Risberg
Olle Risberg
PhD, Philosophy
Rebecca Selberg
Rebecca Selberg
Associate Professor, Sociology & Gender Studies
Niels Selling
Niels Selling
PhD, Political Science
Gabriel Söderberg
Gabriel Söderberg
Associate Professor in Economic History
Stefan Svallfors
Stefan Svallfors
Professor, Sociology
Folke Tersman
Folke Tersman
Chair Professor, Practical Philosophy
Anna Tyllström
Anna Tyllström
PhD, Business Studies
Sofiya Voytiv
Sofiya Voytiv
PhD, Sociology
Janine Wedel
Janine Wedel
Professor anthropology
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