Democracy

The The final decades of the 20th century saw an upsurge in democracy—from the fall of communism in the former Soviet bloc to the end of apartheid in South Africa to authoritarian governments ousted by elections in nations as diverse as Chile, Spain, and Taiwan. As we begin the 21st century, democracy is threatened in new ways. Terrorism and extremism have gained a foothold around the globe. Societies are fracturing along the lines of ethnicity, race, and religion. Civic participation is in decline. And, while market economies were booming, the “globalization gap” was widening, creating growing tensions between rich and poor and feeding frustration, anger, crime, and corruption. The Albert Shanker Institute promotes discussions and sponsors research on the new challenges facing the world’s democracies, with an emphasis on the role of freedom of association, unions and other civic institutions, and universal education in a democratic society.

Latest Publications

Muslim Voices on Democracy: A Reader

A resource for American teachers and students on the turbulent events taking place in many Islamic countries.