Videos
Society
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Julián Casanova 25 May 2026Historian Julián Casanova examines the continuities and differences between past and present forms of authoritarianism, warning that contemporary anti-democratic movements no longer seek to overthrow democratic institutions from the outside, but increasingly undermine them from within. - Adrian Pabst 25 May 2026Political theorist Adrian Pabst outlines his idea of a communitarian and internationalist post-liberalism—a model that seeks to move beyond both atomized individualism and nationalist closure without abandoning the fundamental liberties of the liberal tradition. Reflecting on the role of intermediary institutions, civic participation, religion, and economic democracy, Pabst proposes a plural and relational political order capable of rebuilding the social fabric eroded by both market absolutism and technocratic governance.
- Anina Schwarzenbach 25 May 2026Anina Schwarzenbach reflects on how inequality, alienation, and the erosion of trust in institutions can fuel resentment, extremism, and even political violence.
- Camila Vergara 25 May 2026In an age marked by democratic fatigue, distrust in institutions, and the rise of competing populisms, political theorist Camila Vergara argues that democracy can only be renewed by giving ordinary citizens a direct and lasting role in political power. In this interview, she reflects on her idea of “plebeian constitutionalism,” a model that seeks to move beyond elite-driven politics by creating institutional spaces for collective participation, civic engagement, and bottom-up democratic control.
- Seán Golden 6 April 2025In contemporary Chinese political discourse, “harmony” is one of the key words defining the vision promoted by China’s leadership—a concept deeply rooted in Confucian philosophy. What does this notion mean in practice, and how does it shape China’s understanding of power, peace, and global order? Sean Golden, senior associate researcher at CIDOB, traces the historical and philosophical origins of the “Confucian Peace,” contrasting it with the militarized traditions of Chinese statecraft.
- Editorial Board 21 October 2024How did religion shift from fueling division to fostering dialogue in post-war Bosnia-Herzegovina? Reset DOC’s upcoming documentary explores the pivotal role of faith in reconciliation and peacebuilding. Catch the trailer now and stay tuned for the full release!
- Sharan Grewal 5 September 2024Sharan Grewal, Assistant Professor of Government at William & Mary, discusses Tunisia’s democratic collapse, attributing it to excessive consensus between political factions, which led to public disillusionment and the rise of populist leader Kais Saied. While a short-term return to democracy is unlikely due to Saied’s popularity, there may be a chance in the future.
- Radwan Masmoudi 27 August 2024For years, Tunisia was viewed as a democratic success in the Arab world. However, according to Radwan Masmoudi, President of the Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy (CSID), it ultimately failed because it was still in the process of developing into a full democracy, with weak political parties, unaddressed economic issues, and declining international support undermining its progress.
- Yaroslav Hrytsak 11 March 2024Post-Soviet Ukraine has been considered a classic case of a “cleft country” torn between the agrarian Ukrainian-speaking West and the industrial Russian-speaking East. The Russian-Ukrainian war has revealed that despite strong regional divisions, Ukraine proved to be a very resilient political community, which led to the emergence of “the third Ukraine.” It is a Ukraine of neither the West nor the East, but of the Center, meant both in regional and political terms, as highlighted by Professor Yaroslav Hrytsak (Ukrainian Catholic University, Lviv).
