Democratic Institutions under Stress

Democracy builds on common principles such as elections, division of power, and rule of law. In practice, democratic institutions often underperform due to executives overstepping powers, conflicts and power struggles causing stalemate in the policy process, and rule instability.

Democratic Institutions under Stress

  • Conference | 14/02/2024 - 16/02/2024

    Violent Legacies, Social Movements, Uncertain Futures

    Violent Legacies, Social Movements, Uncertain Futures, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José Désirée Reder (Organiser), Prof. Dr. Sabine Kurtenbach (Organiser), Alina Ripplinger (Panelist)

    In Central America, democracy and peacebuilding processes are currently threatened. Researchers and civil society representatives discussed potential pathways out of the crisis in a three-day workshop at the University of Costa Rica in San José, organised by GIGA.


    Research Project | 01/05/2021 - 30/04/2026

    Democratic Institutions in the Global South (DEMINGS)

    This project contributes new knowledge on the functioning of democratic institutions in the Global South, their (in)efficacy to constrain powerful executives, and the effects of particular institutions on both democratic quality and regime stability. The focus is on countries with presidential constitutions, i.e., those with directly elected presidents, an institutional choice that extended worldwide in the last decades.
    Leibniz Competition, 2021-2026

    Research Project | 01/12/2019 - 30/11/2024

    Monitoring System and Transfer Platform Radicalisation (MOTRA)

    "Monitoring System and Transfer Platform Radicalization" (MOTRA) is a research association in the context of civil security research (zivile Sicherheitsforschung) funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The project was created as part of the establishment of a top-level research cluster for the early detection, prevention and combating of Islamic extremism and terrorism and will be a central point of contact over a period of five years.
    BMBF, 2019-2024


    GIGA Focus Asia | 3/2024

    India after the 2024 Elections: Trends and Implications

    The outcome of India’s 2024 national elections will define its future course as a democracy. Examined are the key factors and trends likely to influence India’s politics and policies in the coming years.

    GIGA Focus Latin America | 1/2024

    Guatemala: A Vote for Turning the Tide

    In Guatemala, President Bernardo Arévalo took office on 15 January 2024, raising hopes of democratic reform. Still, an entrenched elite has continuously distorted the independence of the judiciary. Not only are elections highly contested; democracy itself is on the line. Can Guatemala turn the tide?

    Studies In Comparative International Development | 02/2024

    Civil Society Under Attack: The Consequences for Horizontal Accountability Institutions

    This manuscript investigates how restrictions on CSOs affect the quality of horizontal accountability institutions like parliaments and courts. Our results imply that a crackdown on CSOs serves as a warning sign of deteriorating horizontal oversight.

    Voice of Africa, XSpaces | Interview | 01/03/2024

    ECOWAS Lifts Sanctions on Mali, Niger, and Guinea. Strategy or Weakness?

    Discussion on the ECOWAS decision to lift sanctions on Mali, Niger and Guinea. Moderated by Kennedy Wandera (Voice of Africa), with David Hundeyin (Investigative Journalist, West Africa Weekly), Hager Ali (GIGA Institute), Afolabi Adekaiyaoja (Centre for Democracy and Development), and Edgar Githua (Strathmore University).

    Conference | 07/03/2024 - 08/03/2024

    Ausländer- und Flüchtlingsfeindlichkeit in Deutschland: Erkenntnisse und Trends aus „Menschen in Deutschland: International“

    MOTRA Jahreskonferenz 2024, Hochschule Fresenius, Wiesbaden Janosch Kleinschnittger (Speaker), Dr. Thomas Richter (Speaker)

    In diesem Beitrag wird die Ausprägung von Ausländer- und Flüchtlingsfeindlichkeit seit Jahresbeginn 2023 untersucht. Die Ergebnisse werden kritisch eingeordnet und etwaige Implikationen für Gesellschaft und Politik diskutiert

    Conference | 07/03/2024 - 08/03/2024

    Evaluating Political Stances and Radical Narratives on X (formerly Twitter): A German Politician Sentiment Analysis

    MOTRA Jahreskonferenz 2024, Hochschule Fresenius, Wiesbaden Andrew Crawford (Speaker), Dr. Thomas Richter (Speaker)

    By analysing data from X, this research paints a picture of the German political landscape to gain an insight into trends and patterns of politician stances and emotions relating to certain political.

    Conference | 07/03/2024 - 08/03/2024

    MOTRA-Verbundpräsentation 2024: Einblicke in die aktuelle Forschung

    Der Forschungsverbund "Monitoringsystem und Transferplattform Radikalisierung (MOTRA)" bringt am 7. und 8. März 2024 Vertreter:innen aus Forschung, Politik und Praxis an der Hochschule Fresenius in Wiesbaden für die MOTRA-K #24 zusammen. Die diesjährige Konferenz widmet sich den Transformationen von Extremismus und Intoleranz in Deutschland und Europa.

    President (ad interim)

    Prof. Dr. Sabine Kurtenbach is President (ad interim) of the GIGA.

    Prof. Dr. Sabine Kurtenbach

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    Africa|Asia|Latin America|Middle East

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