Social Science in Service of Democracy
The SBS Democracy Project coordinates and enhances campus wide initiatives related to participation in democratic life, contributing to the common good, and navigating the tensions between individual freedom and collective responsibility. The Democracy Project draws on the complementary perspectives of all its departments to teach, study, practice, and strengthen democracy in our community and society.
Exploring Democracy in Your World
Whether we are discussing local selectboards, state governors, or federal leadership, democracy is the backbone of governance in the U.S. But how do democratic systems work? What is your role as a citizen within a democracy? And how does democracy work in other parts of the world? The resources below offer an exploration of democracy from various points of view.
Exploring the Workings of Democracy
So much of what we research and teach about at UMass Amherst relates to democracy. Across disciplines, research analyze the conditions on which a thriving, diverse, and representative democracy depends. The goal of the SBS Democracy Project is to bring democratic research to the forefront, as well as creating a resource for the Commonwealth and beyond.
What Does Democracy Mean To You?
The current political environment in the U.S. has made it difficult to have meaningful conversations about the state of democracy in our country. The SBS Democracy Project seeks to engage the public on how our democratic system works (locally, regionally, and federally), how to have meaningful conversations in a contentious environment, and what researchers have learned about democracy around the world.
Upcoming Events
See all events