International IDEA
Our first research project will be conducted in partnership with International IDEA, an international organisation founded in 1995 and located in Stockholm, Sweden. International IDEA stands for International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance. The organisation aims to support democracy worldwide.
The research conducted for International IDEA targets the question of what it takes to deliver credible elections and broadly accepted results in challenging environments. The research focuses on the resilience of electoral processes because this process is an assurance of an avenue through which undemocratic trends and episodes can be reversed. This is important as the organization of elections encounters internal and external risks in all phases of the electoral cycle. When risks are not effectively prevented and mitigated, they may cause stresses and shocks. Failed elections and contested results come with a hefty price tag. They undermine the credibility of democratic institutions, as well as political, economic, and security stability.
The research and analysis will include a review of academic literature to understand the extent to which the theme of resilience of electoral processes (and resilience-building in elections) is researched. References of the concept in a broader democracy promotion will be noted. The main arguments and findings will be summarized. Instances in which resilience-building and risk management will be considered as synergetic concepts. Additionally, a review of policy documents, strategy documents and reports of national and international organisation will be conducted to understand the extent to which they refer to strengthening resilience of electoral processes. Moreover, the Global State of Democracy Indices will be analyzed to investigate how different democracy attributes and sub-attributes impact the cleanness of electoral processes. The findings will help identifying countries where the resilience of elections will be studied to a greater level of detail.
The research conducted for International IDEA targets the question of what it takes to deliver credible elections and broadly accepted results in challenging environments. The research focuses on the resilience of electoral processes because this process is an assurance of an avenue through which undemocratic trends and episodes can be reversed. This is important as the organization of elections encounters internal and external risks in all phases of the electoral cycle. When risks are not effectively prevented and mitigated, they may cause stresses and shocks. Failed elections and contested results come with a hefty price tag. They undermine the credibility of democratic institutions, as well as political, economic, and security stability.
The research and analysis will include a review of academic literature to understand the extent to which the theme of resilience of electoral processes (and resilience-building in elections) is researched. References of the concept in a broader democracy promotion will be noted. The main arguments and findings will be summarized. Instances in which resilience-building and risk management will be considered as synergetic concepts. Additionally, a review of policy documents, strategy documents and reports of national and international organisation will be conducted to understand the extent to which they refer to strengthening resilience of electoral processes. Moreover, the Global State of Democracy Indices will be analyzed to investigate how different democracy attributes and sub-attributes impact the cleanness of electoral processes. The findings will help identifying countries where the resilience of elections will be studied to a greater level of detail.
