Harvard Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation

In a new case written by Ash Center's Jeeyang Rhee Baum and Gautam Nair, the faculty leads examine Brazil’s Operation Car Wash (Lava Jato in Portuguese), the largest public corruption investigation in history, which resulted in the indictment and conviction of approximately 359 business executives, government officials, and political leaders from the nation's ruling elite. The case invites students to confront the challenges democracy faces in combating deep-rooted corruption and to weigh the trade-offs of a large-scale anti-corruption effort. It also examines the broader economic, political, and societal impacts on a nation struggling to break free from the “middle-income trap” that often hinders the progress of developing countries. Learn more about the case here⤵️ https://lnkd.in/eEGXNKTY

In case you missed our conversation last week titled "Why AAPI Votes Matter: 2024 Election and Beyond," check out the recording of the discussion below to learn more about the patterns around the AAPI vote and why it's so important Watch the recording here ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/gXUSZHKh

“Xi Jinping’s decision to extend his rule pushes leadership succession into a very uncertain and unpredictable future," declared Tony Saich as the 75th anniversary of the People's Republic of China nears. Read more from the event below ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/eAZJRVzp

Surveys show that trust in one another and key institutions, such as government, media, and the courts, has reached historic lows in the U.S. At the same time, hyper-partisan polarization has escalated rapidly over the past 40 years, while participation in large-scale civic institutions and volunteering rates have declined. A host of new campus initiatives offer promising pathways for higher education to reassert its vital role in strengthening democracy by engaging students’ civic learning and supporting their development as civic actors. On October 18, you’re invited to join a webinar highlighting these innovative efforts, with moderator Danielle Allen and panelists John Bridgeland, Cecilia Muñoz, Rajiv Vinnakota, and Jenna Storey. Register for the event here ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/eYRJ48JM

NEXT WEEK: The Ash Center invites you to a discussion with representatives of the NBA, NFL Votes, the co-founder of Vet the Vote, and the Deputy Secretary of State of Georgia to discuss how these partnerships are succeeding at supporting voter participation and fair and secure elections. Speakers include Mannone Butler, Jordan Fuchs, Ellen Gustafson, Scott Pioli, and Tova Wang (Moderator). Register here ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/eQupGTY3

Excellent work by Hardy Merriman on HOPE (Harnessing Our Power To End Political Violence). You can download his simple and powerful nonviolent action guide for countering political violence in democracies at https://lnkd.in/eue7hkNn. Podcast and interview from Non Violent Action Lab below. https://lnkd.in/eFYfb94Z #resistance #resilience #education Harvard Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation

Election administrators are on the front line of ensuring our elections are safe and fair this November. There is no one for who this is truer than for the Secretaries of State in the “swing states.” The vote margins in these states are expected to be small, and some people are already questioning the election’s integrity. Many Americans are concerned about what will happen when voting begins and what is being done to prepare. The Ash Center invites you to a discussion on October 1st at 12 PM with heads of elections, including Jocelyn Benson, Karen Brinson Bell, PMP, CERA, Adrian Fontes, and Al Schmidt, to hear about what they’ve been doing to ensure the election process is smooth and can be trusted. Register here: https://lnkd.in/esgEmkNp

TOMORROW: Students are invited to join us for the Ash Center open house at 4 PM! They will have the chance to engage with faculty, staff, and fellows; and hear about unique student opportunities like study groups, research funding, and jobs. Specifically, students will have a chance to talk with members of the Ash Center’s programs and projects, which include the Harvard Project on Indigenous Governance and Development; Institutional Antiracism and Accountability (IARA) Project; Reimagining Democracy Program; Rajawali Foundation Institute for Asia; Nonviolent Action Lab; and the Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation. Register here to attend this event ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/etPpZBMC

We're pleased to welcome Amie Fields-Meyer, Non-resident Senior Fellow at the Ash Center's Allen Lab! Before joining our team, Fields-Meyer served in the White House, including as Senior Policy Advisor to U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, playing a critical role in shaping American science and technology policy — including the U.S. approach to artificial intelligence — and leading key efforts to protect Americans’ civil rights and civil liberties. Learn more ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/edb3dYMR

Nicolas Rodriguez is joining the Ash Center as a member of the Democracy Visiting Fellows cohort!nHis research interests revolve around (lack of) transparency in political campaign finance in Latin America. Rodriguez is also the founder and chairman of real estate development firm Soluciones Inmobiliarias Morada; co-founder, senior editor and author at publisher Ediciones Pichoncito; and executive director of Fundación Peruanos Power, a non-profit that intervenes in literacy and digital connectivity in rural Peru. Learn more about Nicolas ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/dm7rcy_k