Democracy is much more than a way of making governments responsive to the wishes of the people. Well-designed and innovative democratic institutions can and do reduce violence and deprivation, and increase freedom, diversity, tolerance, education, health, social innovation, cultural creativity, and economic development.
Established through a gift by Gail and Stephen A Jarislowsky and located within the Department of Political Science at the University of British Columbia, the Centre for the Study of Democratic Institutions seeks to advance research, teaching and the broad communication of ideas and knowledge about institutional innovation in democratic governance. The Centre focuses on institutional innovation in three problem areas:
- Constitutional Governance Basic institutions of representative democracy are under pressure to adjust to complex societies and critical citizens. More …
- Citizen Engagement and Participation Governments and societies are experimenting with new modes of representation, deliberation, and service delivery. More …
- Transitional Regimes Electoral democracy needs to be combined with civic participation and the rule of law to make democracy work. More...
