Since the end of WWII, the share of democracies among the world’s governments has been growing. Today, nearly half of all governments can be classified as some form of democracy. However, the past several years has brought concern for the future of democracy. Individual freedoms, economic inequality, and out-of-touch elites fuel much of these concerns as many people around the world are dissatisfied with how their respective democracies are functioning. Political freedom and human rights advocacy organizations like Freedom House have concluded that, while global democratic gains have not been completely reversed, democracy is in retreat. From long-standing democracies to authoritarian regimes, there is a decline in freedom globally.Justin Collier will discuss this topic in his lecture entitled ‘Freedom Under Siege: The global retreat of democracy.’ Justin Collier is a PhD candidate from the Political Science and International Relations Department in the University of Delaware. His research interests include public diplomacy, nationalism, national identity, and ethnic conflict.This program was funded by the “Why it Matters: Civic and Electoral Participation” initiative, administered by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
Global Perspectives, Lecture, Delaware Humanities
