At the start of the 20th century, only about three percent of the world’s population was subject to democratic rule. By the year 2000, democracy had become the most common political system globally. Universal suffrage, fair elections, and civil liberties were then enjoyed by over half of the world’s people. Today, democracy is in retreat in many countries, and its future uncertain. Hosted by the Santa Fe Institute, a panel of five scholars will explore what their science has to say about the history, economics, psychology, and politics of democracy, the citizens’ values that it both requires and may promote, and how a renewed expansion and deepening of democracy may be the best way to save it.
David Krakauer, President of the Santa Fe Institute, will introduce the panel and moderate the subsequent open discussion.
Speakers are:
Jenna Bednar, political scientist at University of Michigan, SFI External Faculty
Samuel Bowles, economist at the Santa Fe Institute
Hahrie Han, political scientist at Johns Hopkins University
Katrin Schmelz, behavioral economist and psychologist at the Santa Fe Institute
Reserve your free tickets to these events via the Lensic Performing Arts Center's box office.
The 2026 Santa Fe Institute Community Lecture Series is free to attend thanks to generous sponsorship by the McKinnon Family Foundation, with additional support from the Santa Fe Reporter, and the Lensic Performing Arts Center.