The Karsh Institute’s fast-growing program is turning structured conversation into a cornerstone of student life across campuses nationwide.
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.
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.
"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.
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.
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.
Karsh Institute Practitioner Fellow in Democracy Lise Clavel makes an impact on her students by exposing them to the realities of governing.
Mary Kate Cary, former White House speechwriter for George H. W. Bush, highlighted the powerful oratory of three American women—Senator Margaret Chase Smith, Representative Barbara Jordan, and First Lady Barbara Bush—at the Karsh Institute’s “Speaking of Women” event, emphasizing their impact on American democracy and values.
Graduate and undergraduate students from across UVA responded to the Karsh Institute of Democracy’s first Student Photography Contest, each submitting a series of images answering the question: What does democracy look like to you?