Democratic Institutions under Stress

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

Democratic Institutions under Stress

  • GIGA Focus Latin America | 3/2024

    Mexico: Sheinbaum to Face Militarisation and Human Rights Concerns

    Mexico is experiencing militarisation with increased violence and persistent human rights violations. While civil society actors are demanding an end to this policy, President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum secured victory by pledging continuity to the outgoing López Obrador Presidency.


    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 Latin America | 3/2024

    Mexico: Sheinbaum to Face Militarisation and Human Rights Concerns

    Mexico is experiencing militarisation with increased violence and persistent human rights violations. While civil society actors are demanding an end to this policy, President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum secured victory by pledging continuity to the outgoing López Obrador Presidency.

    Motra-Spotlight | 05/2024

    Einstellungen der Bevölkerung in Deutschland zu Militärhilfen für die Ukraine

    In diesem MOTRA-Spotlight werden das Ausmaß der Kriegsangst sowie Einstellungen der Bevölkerung in Deutschland zu Militärhilfen für die Ukraine vorgestellt und diskutiert.

    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.

    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 | 31/05/2024 - 02/06/2024

    Democracy and Development: Global Dialogue on Autocratization and Re-Democratization

    Democracy and Development: Global Dialogue on Autocratization and Re-Democratization, Central European University Democracy Institute, Budapest Organisers: Central European University Hager Ali (Invited Guest)

    The CEU DI Annual Conference, under the theme “Democracy and Development: Global Dialogue on Autocracy and Re-Democratization", is dedicated to rethinking democracy in its political, social, and economic dimensions. This year’s conference will also mark the launch of the Global Forum on Democracy and Development, a project generously funded by the Open Society Foundation. This ambitious initiative aims to facilitate creative and critical cross-regional collaboration among scholars from the Global South and North.

    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), Prof. 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

    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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