Democracy

The Kellogg Institute for International Studies is committed to the pursuit of scholarly excellence and to value-driven research that helps to advance human welfare around the world. As one of the most critical issues facing humanity, democracy is at the core of the Institute’s research agenda.

Democracy at the Kellogg Institute

 

At the Kellogg Institute, we view democracy as both a form of government and an ideal. It is a shared human aspiration that links the design of political institutions to the pursuit of dignity, equality, and the common good. We understand democracy not as a fixed set of rules, but as an evolving and contested process shaped by culture, history, and global interdependence.

Our Research Topics

Our work addresses interconnected topics that define the democratic experience:

  • Institutions and Governance: We examine the "rules of the game" and the organizations that structure authority and accountability – including elections, political parties, legislatures, and state capacity. Our research studies democracy in historical and comparative perspectives to understand how states remain effective.
  • Justice and Inclusion: Democracy requires more than formal procedures; it demands respect for human rights and the rule of law. Kellogg scholars investigate how societies confront inequality and repair injustice, highlighting the roles of social movements, religion, and collective memory in renewing civic life.
  • Democracy and Human Flourishing: We seek to understand the links between accountable governance and human well-being, exploring how institutions can expand agency and opportunity through better health, education, and sustainable development, and how such conditions in turn affect the robustness of democratic life.

A Collaborative Approach

Understanding democracy as a global phenomenon requires multidisciplinary efforts. Our community integrates experts from over 20 academic disciplines – including the social sciences, humanities, and the arts – to study democracy through methodological pluralism. By combining quantitative analysis, qualitative inquiry, and political theory, the Kellogg Institute seeks a more complete understanding of democracy.
 

Bridging Theory and Practice

Through our research and analysis, we seek not only to understand democracy, but to inform and strengthen it. Kellogg scholars translate academic insights into actionable ideas for policymakers, civic leaders, and practitioners, helping to address real-world democratic challenges. By fostering dialogue between scholars and those working on the front lines of governance, we aim to ensure that rigorous research contributes meaningfully to the renewal and resilience of democratic life.

Democracy Initiative

Kellogg Institute is a pillar of both the Notre Dame Democracy Initiative and the Democracy, Governance, Institutions and Rights program of the Keough School of Global Affairs.
Kellogg Institute Global Democracy Conference

Global Democracy Conferences (GDC)

Kellogg Global Democracy Conference (GDC) serves as both a convening space for new ideas and a bridge between academic research and real-world action.