The Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies and the Institute of Politics and Global Affairs, both units of Global Cornell, will present a panel discussion, “Democratic Challenges in the Time of COVID-19: Global Perspectives,” May 22 from noon to 1:30 p.m. The virtual event, featuring faculty from the College of Arts & Sciences, is free; register in advance.
Panelists will offer perspectives from different international regions, including new developments in Africa, Europe, Southeast Asia and Latin America.
Co-organizers of the event are moderator Rachel Beatty Riedl, Einaudi Center director, John S. Knight Professor of International Studies and professor of government; and panelist Ken Roberts, the Richard J. Schwartz Professor in the Department of Government. Panelists include Mabel Berezin, professor of sociology; Valerie Bunce, Aaron Binenkorb Professor of International Studies Emerita; and Thomas Pepinsky, professor of government.
They will discuss government responses to the pandemic in their regions and the implications for democratic rule, with a focus on autocratic rulers’ attempts to exploit the public health emergency to concentrate powers; restrict civil liberties and opposition rights; and undermine democratic checks and balances.
