As the White House ignores judicial decisions, and Congress is increasingly lackluster in its willingness to exert its prerogatives in our mixed government system—this is the time for institutionalists to step forward, writes the Karsh Institute's research director.
"Many have thought that declining civic health could be restored through a revitalization of civil society and a rebuilding of solidarity. A primary source for that perspective that is shared across the political spectrum is Alexis de Tocqueville’s 'Democracy in America,'” writes the Karsh Institute's research director.
"The balance of power between the states and the federal government is a critical part of the design of our representative democracy, as important as the division of power and checks and balances between the judicial, legislative and executive branches of the federal government," writes the Karsh Institute's director of research.
In the first six weeks of the second Trump administration, there have been more than 100 cases brought before U.S. federal courts challenging policies and executive orders. What does the unprecedented speed and number of these cases mean for the future of American democracy?
The Karsh Institute’s Student Dialogue Fellowship is expanding after a successful inaugural semester, reinforcing the need for spaces where students can engage in meaningful conversations across differences.
The White House has come to rely on unilateral powers to make policy. Is that good for democracy?
The Karsh Institute’s Laurent Dubois and Jessica Kimpell Johnson examine the moral and practical justifications for democracy, discuss how it can address the challenges of our time, and make the case for why—despite its imperfections—democracy remains the most compelling form of government.
A little more than 24 hours after President Donald Trump’s second inauguration, six UVA music students gathered to analyze the sounds—and silences—of the ceremony, examining how these auditory elements are part of the rituals and practices that both reflect and shape democratic culture.
Local news is an essential building block of a vibrant democracy. But the shuttering of local media outlets, underfunded newsrooms, and declining trust in information threaten the nation's democratic health. The Karsh Institute is partnering with Virginia Humanities to examine ways to combat this challenge.
For photojournalist Sanjay Suchak, imagery plays a critical role in fostering a vibrant and healthy news ecosystem.