Vision and Mission
The Indiana Democracy Consortium is focused on the fundamental dynamics that govern the successful development of democratic institutions—from the enterprises of vibrant civil society networks, to the structure of formal electoral rules and constitutional design, and to the importance of professionalism in managing the affairs of the formal government. The fundamental question that defines the mission of the IDC is straightforward. At root, policy-makers are struggling with a question that academics have grappled with for decades: why is it that some democracies succeed and others fail?
As a congress composed of academics, policy-makers, and noted practitioners in the international arena, the IDC is engaged in a continuing dialogue to determine precisely what models, approaches and programs have been most successful in fostering cross-disciplinary research around a common theme, extending undergraduate and graduate education to identify and address crucial problems, and bridging the gap between the academic and policy communities. The record of democratization studies and democracy assistance is mixed. We seek to identify the lessons of past experiences and new directions for future research.
