Threats to Democracy and What to Do About Them: A Sciences of the Democracies Action Guide

Across the world, democracies appear to be under strain. Observers point to the rise of populism and authoritarian tendencies, to misinformation and polarization, to unequal representation and declining trust, to the corrosion of democratic norms, and to the fragility of institutional checks and balances. Yet this diagnosis is not universally valid: while some forms of democracy, particularly liberal and representative institutions at the national level, show clear signs of crisis and decay, others at more local levels, or even in areas entirely outside of formal politics, are thriving. Participatory, deliberative, sortive, economical, environmental and small-group or polity experiments often display renewed vitality and public engagement. Recognizing this uneven landscape is crucial. It calls for a more dynamic understanding of democracy as a set of evolving forms and practices, and for dialogue among scholars exploring why some democracies falter while others adapt and even flourish. These concerns have spurred a vast and fragmented research landscape, often addressing specific dimensions of democratic change but rarely integrating them into a broader, constructive agenda for democratic renewal. This Section - endorsed by the ECPR Research Network The Sciences of the Democracies - aims to provide a forum for scholars who want to connect diagnoses of democratic threats with proposals for innovation and reform. The Section embraces a genuinely transdisciplinary spirit - inviting collaboration between theoretical and empirical perspectives and practical design thinking, all with a focus on democratic renewal. The Section is structured around three guiding questions: 1. What exactly are the main problems that threaten the stability and legitimacy of contemporary democratic systems? 2. Which democratic innovations, institutional reforms, or civic practices could address these problems in a sustainable and legitimate way? 3. Where are different forms of democracy gaining ground in the world and why? Proposed Panels and Themes The Section proposes up to ten panels, each focusing on a different dimension of the overarching theme. Individual papers may fit within or across these panels. Intended Outcomes The Section is designed as a bridge between the very latest in diagnosis and practice. By mapping the conceptual, empirical, and normative dimensions of democratic threats, it will identify points of convergence between different research communities. The long-term aim is to produce an edited volume or series (e.g., Threats to Democracy and What to Do About Them), providing an interdisciplinary roadmap for democratic innovation and renewal.