Democratic Resilience 2025-26

Democracy–the rule of the many–is a fragile thing, tending, as the greatest political minds have always known, toward rule by the few. At its best, constitutional democracy protects popular government while safeguarding individual freedoms, yet even durable constitutions may erode under pressures from above or below. In the 2025-2026 academic year, the Clough Center will investigate the theme of democratic resilience: the capacity of democratic institutions and peoples to endure economic strain, demographic shifts, stark cultural and political polarization, and numerous other challenges.

As we enter the second quarter of the century, we are bringing together scholars and students, commentators and thought leaders, to consider the forces that bolster–and those that undermine–democratic resilience. Which institutions promote long-term democracy? How do ideas and values shape and support democratic rule? When are democratic governance and individual rights mutually reinforcing, and when must the one give way to the other? The Clough Center invites the Boston College community and the interested public to join us as we examine the past and present of democratic resilience. 

Events are open to the wider BC community and the general public, and most will be streamed online. Please join us for our year-long exploration of “Democratic Resilience,” and add your voice to the conversation.