In the News
CGD Brings Global Democracy Experts Together in New York to Discuss Democratic Resilience
On September 24, Vanderbilt University's Center for Global Democracy (CGD) hosted a panel discussion at Vanderbilt's Chelsea campus in New York City exploring what makes democracies resilient amid growing institutional distrust and global political pressures.
Moderated by Elizabeth Zechmeister, Vanderbilt's vice provost for graduate education and growth initiatives, the conversation featured CGD Director Noam Lupu, Stanford University's Larry Diamond, New York University's Ruth Ben-Ghiat, and International IDEA Secretary-General Kevin Casas-Zamora.
Drawing on findings from the 2026 AmericasBarometer, Lupu highlighted a central tension in public attitudes toward democracy: support for democracy is recovering across the Americas even as trust in political institutions remains weak. Panelists discussed the importance of institutional accountability, civic engagement, democratic norms, and governments' ability to respond effectively to citizens' needs.
Held during the week of the United Nations General Assembly, the event underscored CGD's commitment to connecting rigorous research with public dialogue on the challenges facing democracy around the world.