Is Democracy Broken?

Établissement d’études supérieures unique en son genre, l’École d’Affaires publiques et internationales de Glendon est axée sur le bilinguisme anglais-français et spécialisée à la fois dans les affaires publiques et les affaires internationales. On y explore, dans une perspective mondiale, les relations entre les institutions publiques et le contexte général dans lequel elles fonctionnent. Le mandat principal de l’École consiste à faire progresser la recherche sur des questions d’Affaires publiques et internationales, à offrir un programme de maîtrise bilingue de grande qualité ainsi qu’un programme de développement professionnel novateur.A unique Canadian institution, the Glendon School of Public and International Affairs combines a comprehensive bilingualism with a focus upon both public and international affairs. Adopting a global perspective, the School explores the relationship between public institutions and their larger environment. Its purpose is to advance research on public and international affairs; provide a high-quality bilingual master’s program; and offer innovative professional development programming.

Glendon School of Public and International Affairs |  l’École d’Affaires publiques et internationales de Glendon

Populism, nativist sentiments, corruption, repression, and violence are now part of our daily news feeds. Is democracy broken?

Democracy had its heyday after WWII and the subsequent fall of the Berlin Wall. It seemed then to be the most promising, if not the only, political system that would give voice to, and adequately represent the interests of, the people. In recent decades, however, new phenomena have complicated the picture: growing inequalities (and the failure of reforms to address them); the rise of social media and their detrimental effects on public discourse; and the growing tendency of political parties across the spectrum to exploit divisions, whether real or perceived. These and other developments have led to debates around what are the legitimate modes of political engagement and organization in today’s societies. These debates are not only rhetorical; they address concrete shifts that may be destabilizing and/or weakening previously taken-for-granted democratic institutions and processes, as well as backsliding the rights of certain groups. The results are concerning to many: the rise of populism, illiberal discourses and practices, nativist sentiments, and even violence as part of our daily lives and news feeds. Do these contemporary shifts in political activity and discourse suggest that democracy is broken, or is it just frayed? How widely shared are the concerns over democratic backsliding? What are the implications of such backsliding? What can be done to restore widespread faith in democracy?M﻿oderatorHonourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, <a href="https://www.lgontario.ca/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Lieutenant Governor of Ontario</a> Panelists<ul><li>Emily Laxer (Associate Professor, Sociology, <a href="https://www.yorku.ca/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">York University</a>’s <a href="https://www.yorku.ca/glendon/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Glendon Campus</a> &amp; York Research Chair in Populism, Rights, and Legality): Politicians against the law: populist challenges to rights and legality in Canada</li><li>Susan Pond (Former <a href="https://www.nato.int/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">NATO</a> executive &amp; BMO Senior Fellow): Truth, the whole truth, and anything but the truth. The erosion of facts in democracies</li><li>Clare Hutchinson (Former Senior gender advisor with the <a href="https://www.un.org/en/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">United Nations</a> Department of Peacekeeping &amp; Power Corp Fellow, Glendon): Democracies demise authoritarian rise equals the erosion of women’s rights. What more can be done to protect and preserve democratic values and gender equality?</li></ul>T﻿his hybrid event will be bilingual. *The Zoom link will be sent before the event*Questions? Please contact gouellet@yorku.ca or gspia@glendon.yorku.ca

Our {communityGuidelinesLink} describe the sort of content we prohibit on Eventbrite. If you suspect an event may be in violation, you can report it to us so we can investigate.

To report other categories of prohibited or illegal content, submit {link}

Is Democracy Broken?

More events from Glendon School of Public and International Affairs | l’École d’Affaires publiques et internationales de Glendon

Follow organizers to get events picked for you

Still looking for the right event?

Explore all online events to browse and filter by date, category, and more.

Is Democracy Broken?

More events from Glendon School of Public and International Affairs | l’École d’Affaires publiques et internationales de Glendon

Follow organizers to get events picked for you

You might also like...

Browse more events with different dates, prices, and formats to find your next great experience.

Still looking for the right event?

Explore all online events to browse and filter by date, category, and more.