Democracy is not a fixed state but a living social fabric that must be actively woven each day, in interactions both large and small. For any democracy to be strong and resilient, the society that underpins it must be fair, prosperous, plural, and free. So revitalizing and defending democracy requires a whole-of-society response. Cascade Institute researchers are working to defend and strengthen democracy.
Our work seeks to understand the root causes of democratic fragility, explore interventions that might address increasing polarization and rebuild trust in institutions, and examine pathways for more inclusive civic participation. Through research and engagement, we aim to support interventions that can help societies navigate democratic challenges while fostering the conditions—economic opportunity, social cohesion, and pluralistic dialogue—that allow democracy to flourish.
We are also focused on countering increasing polarization, which represents perhaps the greatest threat to democracy today. Our de-polarization research stream within the democracy program investigates how growing divisions undermine democratic institutions and social cohesion—and explores potential solutions to bridge these divides.
Learn more about our de-polarization research.
PUBLISHED RESEARCH
National Service to Support Community and National Security: A preliminary outline of components, implementation, and costs
Democracy program
David Last
A policy brief prepared for the Office of the Prime Minister for the development of a National Service initiative.
Defending Canada’s Democracy: A strategic framework
Democracy program
Cascade Institute fellows and staff
An analysis of the forces destabilizing Canada’s democracy and a framework for building the country’s economic and social resilience.
Catastrophic Dehumanization: A formal model
Polycrisis program
Thomas Homer-Dixon
A formal model that seeks to explain the causal mechanisms of sudden dehumanization in situations of extreme conflict.
Democracy News & Views
Would you die for Canada? Polling suggests Canadians are more willing to fight for their country
Thomas Homer-Dixon and Toby Shannan
The Globe and Mail
Polling data shows most Canadians are willing to fight to defend their country against military attack.
Anti-democratic ‘Dark Enlightenment’ ideas have spread from Silicon Valley to Washington
Christopher Collins
A spotlight on the growing influence of the anti-democratic ‘Dark Enlightenment’ philosophy among U.S. tech and political elites and its potential consequences for Canada.
It’s time to create a new national service
David Last and Thomas Homer-Dixon
Toronto Star
New and voluntary national service programs are needed to defend Canadian sovereignty.
Understanding the ideological drivers of Russia’s war in Ukraine
Jonathan Leader Maynard
Cascade Institute Speaker Series
The critical role of ideology in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
On disinformation: A conversation between the Cascade Institute’s Thomas Homer-Dixon and James Hoggan of the David Suzuki Institute
Thomas Homer-Dixon
David Suzuki Institute interview
How information overload in digital spaces fuels negativity and division.
Would you die for Canada? Polling suggests Canadians are more willing to fight for their country
Thomas Homer-Dixon and Toby Shannan
The Globe and Mail
Polling data shows most Canadians are willing to fight to defend their country against military attack.
Anti-democratic ‘Dark Enlightenment’ ideas have spread from Silicon Valley to Washington
Christopher Collins
A spotlight on the growing influence of the anti-democratic 'Dark Enlightenment' philosophy among U.S. tech and political elites and its potential consequences for Canada.
It’s time to create a new national service
David Last and Thomas Homer-Dixon
Toronto Star
New and voluntary national service programs are needed to defend Canadian sovereignty.
Understanding the ideological drivers of Russia’s war in Ukraine
Jonathan Leader Maynard
Cascade Institute Speaker Series
The critical role of ideology in Russia's war against Ukraine.
On disinformation: A conversation between the Cascade Institute’s Thomas Homer-Dixon and James Hoggan of the David Suzuki Institute
Thomas Homer-Dixon
David Suzuki Institute interview
How information overload in digital spaces fuels negativity and division.
