Research Themes

Theme [Number of Papers per Theme]

Democratization and the Quality of Democracy [142]
The Institute studies cases of democratization, primarily in Latin America but also in Europe, Asia, and Africa, and explores the various aspects that affect the quality and institutionalization of new democracies. It seeks to clarify the factors that enhance democratic governability, the rule of law, accountability, and responsiveness, as well as the expansion and consolidation of human rights and the quality of public life.

Growth and Development [109]
This theme considers, using an interdisciplinary approach, the processes and policies that potentially influence national and regional economic growth in the context of an increasingly global economy. Research considerations include the roles of economic, political, social, and cultural institutions, government policies, market structures, distributional issues, international trade and finance, and economic geography in explaining economic growth, development, and welfare.

Religion and Society [29]
Dealing mainly but not exclusively with Latin America, this theme focuses on past and present trends in Catholicism and other religious traditions, on the social and cultural relevance of churches, on the role of religion in popular cultures, and on the influence of churches and religious belief upon political, social, and cultural change.

Social Movements and Organized Civil Society [105]
The Institute studies women's movements, labor unions, peasant organizations, Christian communities, popular culture, and other grassroots activities. It examines these expressions on their own terms and in relation to various conceptions of citizenship and issues of social and political inclusion and exclusion. It also explores the relationship between these expressions and types of political regime, patterns of socioeconomic development, and characteristics of labor markets.

Public Policies for Social Justice [40]
From the perspectives of various academic disciplines, the Institute studies the impact of socioeconomic factors and government policies on various issues of social equity. It studies and fosters efforts to design public policies and innovative interfaces with the private sector, including nonprofit organizations, social movements, and business, aimed at advancing social equity without undermining economic development or the expansion and institutionalization of democracy.

Note: A number of papers in the series address more than one theme and are therefore counted in more than one category.