• Research
  • Emissary
  • About
  • Experts
Carnegie Global logoCarnegie lettermark logo
DemocracyIran
  • Donate
Democratic Backsliding, Resilience, and Resistance
Research

Democratic Backsliding, Resilience, and Resistance

An examination of the role of political polarization in backsliding and the combined importance of political agency and institutional levers for regime outcomes.

Link Copied
By Jennifer McCoy, Rachel Beatty Riedl, Paul Friesen, Kenneth Roberts
Published on Dec 1, 2023
Program mobile hero image

Program

Democracy, Conflict, and Governance

The Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program is a leading source of independent policy research, writing, and outreach on global democracy, conflict, and governance. It analyzes and seeks to improve international efforts to reduce democratic backsliding, mitigate conflict and violence, overcome political polarization, promote gender equality, and advance pro-democratic uses of new technologies.

Learn More
Read the Publication

About the Authors

Jennifer McCoy

Nonresident Scholar, Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program

Jennifer McCoy is a nonresident scholar in the Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program, where she focuses on political polarization and democratic resilience in the U.S. and around the world.

Rachel Beatty Riedl

Paul Friesen

Kenneth Roberts

Authors

Jennifer McCoy
Nonresident Scholar, Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program
Jennifer McCoy
Rachel Beatty Riedl
Paul Friesen
Kenneth Roberts
DemocracyPolitical Reform

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

  • Commentary
    Strategic Europe
    Taking the Pulse: Was it Right to Boycott Eurovision?

    Five countries staged the biggest political boycott in Eurovision history over Israel’s participation. With the FIFA World Cup and other sporting or cultural touchstones on the horizon, are boycotts effective?

      • Rym Momtaz

      Rym Momtaz, ed.

  • Visualization of technology and democracy intersection
    Article
    Realizing the Potential Gains of AI-Enabled Deliberative Democracy

    Democratic institutions currently lack the capacity needed to govern AI-augmented deliberation in ways that serve democratic imperatives.

      • Micah Weinberg headshot

      Micah Weinberg

  • wide shot of the city of Dakar by the water
    Commentary
    Senegal: An Island of Resilience

    During our visit, we observed a democracy that has learned from its difficult past and is working toward an even more dynamic future.

      • Sarah Yerkes

      Sarah Yerkes, Natalie Triche

  • Members of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) attend a meeting along with Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) President Amit Shah and Indian designated Prime Minister Narendra Modi (C) at the central hall of the parliament, in New Delhi on May 25, 2019.
    Paper
    Delimitation After Defeat: India’s Unfinished Debate Over Representation

    The battle over representation and regional power has been delayed—not resolved—and will shape the future of India’s federal balance.

      • Louise Tillin
      • Andy Robaina

      Louise Tillin, Milan Vaishnav, Andy Robaina

  • Commentary
    Cities Have a Crucial Role to Play in Advancing Climate Mobility Priorities

    Ensuring that cities’ perspectives shape international discussions at this year’s forums is not just equitable; it is likely to produce better outcomes.

      • Marissa Jordan

      Liliana Gamboa, Marissa Jordan

Get more news and analysis from
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Carnegie global logo, stacked
1779 Massachusetts Avenue NWWashington, DC, 20036-2103Phone: 202 483 7600
  • Research
  • Emissary
  • About
  • Experts
  • Donate
  • Programs
  • Events
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts
  • Contact
  • Annual Reports
  • Careers
  • Privacy
  • For Media
  • Government Resources
Get more news and analysis from
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
© 2026 Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. All rights reserved.