Democracy requires rigorous inquiry into why institutions fail, how trust erodes, what drives polarization, and how emerging technologies reshape power.
The Cornell Center on Democracy brings together more than 100 scholars to pursue that inquiry — and translate findings into tools and strategies that practitioners can use.
Three interdisciplinary research pillars address the health of legal and governmental institutions, the quality of civic culture and participation, and the governance of emerging technologies. Together, they form a comprehensive, evidence-based agenda for strengthening democracy in the United States and abroad.
Rule of law, rights, and democratic order
Democratic governance depends on institutions that uphold legal accountability, protect fundamental rights, and sustain public trust. This pillar examines how legal frameworks, professional communities, and administrative institutions can reinforce the rule of law under pressure — producing evidence-based tools for policymakers, public officials, and civil society.
Research focus areas include constitutional rule and the role of guardrail institutions, anti-corruption strategies, transnational coordination, the role of legal associations in democratic resilience, freedom of speech, and accountable administrative design.
Learn more about the Rule of Law, Rights, and Democratic Order research pillar →
Democracy, values, participation and pluralism
Pluralistic democracy requires citizens who can engage in public life while accepting disagreement and institutional constraint. This pillar investigates how polarization and eroding civic norms are straining those foundations — and which practices can channel conflict productively and renew a shared commitment to pluralism.
Outputs include survey and experimental data on citizen perceptions of democratic safeguards and transgressions in the United States and around the world, open-access teaching materials, democratic toolkits, and practical training for civic leaders and public servants.
Learn more about the Democracy, Values, Participation & Pluralism research pillar →
Democracy and new technologies
Emerging technologies are reshaping how citizens access information, how power is exercised, and how accountability is organized. This pillar examines the democratic implications of AI, algorithmic decision-making, surveillance, evolving media ecosystems, and digital finance — developing governance frameworks and policy tools that help democratic citizens and institutions adapt without sacrificing transparency, inclusion, or rights.
Learn more about the Democracy and New Technologies research pillar →
Get involved
Research at the Cornell Center on Democracy is not a spectator activity. Students, practitioners and policymakers, government officials, and civic leaders all have a role — as Democracy Research Fellows, non-resident fellows, or partners helping to shape the questions we ask and the tools we build. Our findings reach the public through policy briefs, practitioner guidebooks, democratic toolkits, and public convenings.