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New Approaches to Defending Global Civil Society
Research
Carnegie Europe

New Approaches to Defending Global Civil Society

New thinking is needed on how global civil society can be protected. In an era of major-power rivalry, competitive geopolitics, and security primacy, civil society is in danger of getting squeezed – in some countries, almost entirely out of existence.

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By Richard Youngs, ed. and Elene Panchulidze, ed.
Published on Feb 25, 2026
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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.

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About the Authors

Richard Youngs, ed.

Senior Fellow, Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program

Richard Youngs is a senior fellow in the Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program, based at Carnegie Europe. He works on EU foreign policy and on issues of international democracy.

Elene Panchulidze, ed.

Head of Research, European Partnership for Democracy

Elene Panchulidze is head of research at the European Partnership for Democracy.

Editors

Richard Youngs, ed.
Senior Fellow, Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program
Richard Youngs
Elene Panchulidze, ed.
Head of Research, European Partnership for Democracy
Elene Panchulidze
Civil SocietyDemocracy

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.

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