In 2024, over 70 countries held elections, with more than half of the world's population participating. This panel will explore global election results from a comparative perspective and reflect on what they reveal about the state of democracy. Featuring expert insights on key regions, Victoria Hui (Asia), Scott Mainwaring (Latin America), Dianne Pinderhughes (USA), Marc Jacob (Europe), and Bernard Forjwuor (Africa), the discussion will cover elections in nations like India, South Africa, Poland, France, the UK, Venezuela, and the U.S. Moderated by Dean Mary Gallagher of the Keough School of Global Affairs, the event will draw broad themes and collective takeaways about the health of global democracy in 2024. Dave Campbell, Director of the Notre Dame Democracy Initiative, will offer introductory remarks. A welcome reception with light refreshments will begin at 5:30 pm, and the panel will begin at 6:00 pm. The event is free and open to the public. This event is sponsored by the Notre Dame Democracy Initiative, and co-sponsored by the Kellogg Institute for International Studies and the Rooney Center for the Study of American Democracy. Originally published at rooneycenter.nd.edu.

The Kroc Institute proudly hosts a new series focused on intersectionality and justice as a beneficial framework and methodology paired with peace studies. Led by Ashley Bohrer, assistant professor of gender and peace studies, and featuring a variety of guest presenters, the series will address the potential of intersectional analysis for peace studies scholars, with an ability to transform timely global conversations and issues. The series will also illustrate how peacebuilding in its many forms contributes to the strength and value of intersectionality and justice as an analytical tool and concept. Marsha Henry, the Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton Chair in Women, Peace, Security and Justice at Queen’s University, Belfast, will discuss her new book, The End of Peacekeeping: Gender, Race, and the Martial Politics of Intervention. Drawing on critical concepts from Black feminist thought and postcolonial and critical race theories, Henry provides an intersectional analysis of peacekeeping from more than 15 years of ethnographic fieldwork around the world—including interviews with UN peacekeepers, humanitarian aid personnel, and local populations. Revealing that peacekeeping is not the benign, apolitical project it is often purported to be, Henry’s book encourages readers to imagine and enact alternative futures to peacekeeping.    Originally published at kroc.nd.edu.

Kellogg Work-in-Progress seminars are designed to generate in-depth discussion of new scholarly work. For the pre-circulated paper and to attend, register here. Juan Andrés MoraesKellogg Visiting FellowProfessor of Political Science, Universidad de la República, Uruguay Affective polarization is a set of hostile attitudes towards opposing collective identities, which requires vibrant political parties. But what happens when partisan institutions are weak? In Latin America, for example, scholars have extensively documented that parties and party systems tend to have lower levels of institutionalization, brand dilution, and are often used by ambitious politicians as mere electoral vehicles. This research explores the role of personalism as a cause of affective polarization in Latin America, offering an account of such behavior in a context of electoral instability which is a key element of party competition in the region.  For more information, click here.

South Korean elected officials and citizens mobilized immediately to renounce and nullify President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law on December 3. Though the standoff was quickly resolved, questions remain about the impact of Yoon’s power grab—for South Korea, Asia, and beyond. This panel will examine the history of South Korea’s democracy and Yoon’s presidency, as well as factors that influenced South Koreans’ inspiring actions to preserve their government.  The flash panel is free and open to all as an in-person event. Lunch is provided while supplies last.We encourage audience members to bring personal water bottles or to drink from nearby water fountains. Panelists Yong Suk LeeAssociate Professor of Technology, Economy and Global Affairs, Keough School of Global Affairs Hayun ChoAssistant Professor, East Asian Languages and Cultures Cecilia KimAssistant Professor, Film, Television and Theatre and Art, Art History, and Design George LopezRev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., Professor Emeritus of Peace Studies Sun-Chul Kim Climate justice organizer and author of Democratization and Social Movements in South Korea  Moderated by Sharon YoonAssociate Professor of Korean Studies, Keough School of Global Affairs Sponsored by the Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies with the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies and the Democracy Initiative. Originally published at asia.nd.edu.

Nusrat ChowdhuryAssociate Professor of Anthropology, Amherst CollegeKellogg Visiting Fellow How does development infrastructure help us understand the way populism functions in the global south? This lecture, drawing from Nustrat Chowdhury's ethnographic project around the longest river bridge in Bangladesh , addresses this question by exploring how mega-infrastructure has become a strategy through which increasingly authoritarian regimes seek populist legitimacy. Focusing on the concept of “infrastructural populism,” it asks: How does spectacular development aimed at mass political appeal help us grasp the ways in which new versions of democratic authoritarianisms are thriving in the global south? How and why is the democratic ideal compromised in the obsessive investment in megaprojects? And, despite its impressive visual appeal, how does language offer insights into the ways in which infrastructure is accommodated in everyday life? Once completed, the book will contribute to distinct areas of scholarship, namely, the political life of infrastructure; populism in the global south; and, rumor and hearsay as form of political communication. click here for more information

How can we stand in solidarity with Palestinians seeking justice, while also avoiding antisemitism—and resist those who seek to conflate the two? Authors Shane Burley and Ben Lorber will share personal stories, historical reflections, and interview data from their recent book to discuss how to combat antisemitism and build true safety for Jews and all people. The conversation will be moderated by Atalia Omer, professor of religion, conflict and peace studies. Lunch will be provided. Originally published at kroc.nd.edu.