In recent years, the principles of democracy are increasingly being compromised in the United States and across the globe. The prevalence of anti-democratic sentiments is on the rise, partisan divides are deepening, and the spread of misinformation is pervasive. This troubling landscape has led both politicians and the public to question the integrity of election processes. In light of these challenges, the MIT Department of Political Science has initiated a new project called the Strengthening Democracy Initiative. David Singer, the department head and Raphael Dorman-Helen Starbuck Professor of Political Science, provides insights into the goals and direction of this vital initiative.
Q: What is the primary aim of the Strengthening Democracy Initiative?
A: The fundamental pillars of a well-functioning democracy include accountable leadership, accessible and accurate information, an equitable platform for citizen voices and participation, along with free and fair elections, all grounded in a deep respect for democratic institutions. The political science community is understandably alarmed by the increasing evidence of democratic backsliding in various regions, including Europe, Latin America, and our own country. While we cannot single-handedly reverse these trends, we aim to explore and articulate the underlying causes of democratic erosion, offering strategies to sustain and enhance the healthy operation of democracies.
MIT’s political science department has a rich tradition of producing valuable research on numerous aspects of the democratic system, such as voter behavior, election procedures, public opinion, the dynamics of misinformation, and lobbying activities. The Strengthening Democracy Initiative aspires to unify these diverse research areas, promote interdisciplinary collaboration, and position MIT as the nation’s premier hub for thorough, evidence-based analysis of democratic resilience.
Q: What specific research areas will the initiative focus on?
A: The initiative is centered on three key pillars. The first pillar is election science and administration. Effective democracies hinge on well-executed elections and, equally, public trust in those elections. In the U.S. and worldwide, electoral processes vary significantly—ranging from voter registration practices to methods of vote counting and public dissemination of election results. The MIT Election Data and Science Lab stands as a prominent leader in the country for collecting and analyzing election-related data. It is well-positioned to expand its efforts and impact further.
The second pillar focuses on public opinion, an expansive field that includes experimental research on public responses to misinformation, as well as analyses of how government actions align with public sentiment. Our faculty engage in comprehensive studies employing various methods, investigating a spectrum of topics, including tax policies, healthcare, and local governance. Collaborative platforms such as the Political Experiments Research Lab, paired with an annual omnibus survey that invites student involvement, facilitate robust findings through workshops and conferences.
Thirdly, the initiative emphasizes political participation. This encompasses the effects of the criminal justice system and other adverse interactions with governmental structures on voting behavior, the formation of citizen assemblies, and corporate lobbying’s influence on legislative processes. Some research leverages machine learning and artificial intelligence to sift through vast datasets, revealing insights into previously opaque phenomena. Moreover, studies on political deliberation integrate computer science and social science tools to evaluate online discourse dynamics and explore means to reduce polarization while promoting consensus.
The initiative’s adaptable framework will also allow for the introduction of new research pillars as necessary, including topics related to international security, democratization processes in various global contexts, and emerging threats to democratic practices that may not yet be apparent.
Q: Why is MIT an ideal location for this initiative?
A: While MIT is often recognized for its STEM focus, it boasts a significant amount of interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly among political science and departments such as the Schwarzman College of Computing and the Sloan School of Management. This synergy is essential for the Strengthening Democracy Initiative, fostering new partnerships between political science and other domains. It’s crucial to emphasize that this initiative is a nonpartisan research endeavor. The political science department at MIT has established a reputation for rigorous, data-driven approaches to political analysis, allowing us to serve as an "honest broker." Our aim is to disseminate groundbreaking, evidence-based research and interventions aimed at reinforcing democratic institutions.
Q: Will there be an educational dimension to the initiative?
A: Absolutely! Our department has a history of engaging undergraduates through MIT’s Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program. This initiative will provide these students with valuable learning experiences as they explore different facets of democracy while assisting faculty on research projects. I aspire to empower students with the opportunity to design and execute their surveys, applying insights from computer science, applied statistics, and other relevant fields to investigate political phenomena. As the initiative evolves, I foresee greater opportunities for students to collaborate with local and state officials to enhance election administration and tackle pressing questions regarding democratic integrity.
Postdoctoral researchers will also play a vital role, contributing to research across various initiative pillars, supervising undergraduate researchers, and managing key administrative aspects of the program.
Q: Given the long-term nature of this initiative, do you envision it as a permanent fixture?
A: Yes, we are laying the foundation for what we hope will be a leading center dedicated to the study of democracy and how to fortify it. To succeed, we must enhance our capacity and resources to create a flexible research environment that encourages collaboration across projects. A permanent initiative provides a structured platform for faculty and students to swiftly respond to emerging events and research opportunities, whether through nationwide survey experiments or analyzing new influences on electoral perceptions.
As I often share with our supporters, challenges to the health of democracies are evolving and will continue to do so, presenting us with issues we may not have anticipated a decade ago. We must be prepared to conduct thorough analyses of whatever hurdles arise. MIT Political Science is uniquely equipped to undertake this ambitious, long-term agenda.
