Stanford CDDRL
@stanfordcddrl.bsky.social
Official account of Stanford's Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law. CDDRL produces policy-relevant research to advance political development. Visit us at: http://cddrl.stanford.edu
Reposted by Stanford CDDRL
Want to understand better what is happening and why in Iran? Listen to Abbas Milani here:
McFaul’s World Podcast: Talking Iran with Abbas Milani
open.substack.com/pub/michaelm...
McFaul’s World Podcast: Talking Iran with Abbas Milani
open.substack.com/pub/michaelm...
McFaul’s World Podcast: Talking Iran with Abbas Milani
Stanford’s leading Iran scholar on the regime, protests, and what comes next
open.substack.com
January 16, 2026 at 4:12 PM
Want to understand better what is happening and why in Iran? Listen to Abbas Milani here:
McFaul’s World Podcast: Talking Iran with Abbas Milani
open.substack.com/pub/michaelm...
McFaul’s World Podcast: Talking Iran with Abbas Milani
open.substack.com/pub/michaelm...
"The fearlessness shown by the demonstrators is why this uprising may prove enduring. ...ignoring these increasingly powerful movements means forfeiting the chance to help the people of Iran rid themselves of this nightmare and to bring about a more peaceful & democratic Middle East." -Abbas Milani
Opinion | The End of Fear in Iran
www.nytimes.com
January 20, 2026 at 8:28 PM
"The fearlessness shown by the demonstrators is why this uprising may prove enduring. ...ignoring these increasingly powerful movements means forfeiting the chance to help the people of Iran rid themselves of this nightmare and to bring about a more peaceful & democratic Middle East." -Abbas Milani
In a new essay, @frankfukuyama.bsky.social argues that the real danger is not violations of international law per se, but the erosion of the norms that restrain power, and a president who recognizes only his own morality as a limit.
January 20, 2026 at 8:21 PM
In a new essay, @frankfukuyama.bsky.social argues that the real danger is not violations of international law per se, but the erosion of the norms that restrain power, and a president who recognizes only his own morality as a limit.
What comes after Maduro?
A panel hosted by CDDRL's Democracy Action Lab on Jan. 7 weighed competing scenarios for #Venezuela’s political future amid elite continuity, economic crisis, and international intervention. https://ow.ly/KM8o50XU8LP
A panel hosted by CDDRL's Democracy Action Lab on Jan. 7 weighed competing scenarios for #Venezuela’s political future amid elite continuity, economic crisis, and international intervention. https://ow.ly/KM8o50XU8LP
Venezuela After Maduro, Explained
ow.ly
January 9, 2026 at 6:09 PM
What comes after Maduro?
A panel hosted by CDDRL's Democracy Action Lab on Jan. 7 weighed competing scenarios for #Venezuela’s political future amid elite continuity, economic crisis, and international intervention. https://ow.ly/KM8o50XU8LP
A panel hosted by CDDRL's Democracy Action Lab on Jan. 7 weighed competing scenarios for #Venezuela’s political future amid elite continuity, economic crisis, and international intervention. https://ow.ly/KM8o50XU8LP
🇻🇪 What comes next for #Venezuela?
Join CDDRL's Democracy Action Lab for a panel discussion examining political uncertainty, democratic reconstruction, and the risks ahead.
📅 January 7, 12:00 pm PT
🔗 Learn more: https://ow.ly/jBgN50XSeIu
Join CDDRL's Democracy Action Lab for a panel discussion examining political uncertainty, democratic reconstruction, and the risks ahead.
📅 January 7, 12:00 pm PT
🔗 Learn more: https://ow.ly/jBgN50XSeIu
Venezuela After Maduro: Democracy, Authoritarian Rebalancing, or Chaos
January 7, 12:00 pm PT
ow.ly
January 5, 2026 at 10:32 PM
🇻🇪 What comes next for #Venezuela?
Join CDDRL's Democracy Action Lab for a panel discussion examining political uncertainty, democratic reconstruction, and the risks ahead.
📅 January 7, 12:00 pm PT
🔗 Learn more: https://ow.ly/jBgN50XSeIu
Join CDDRL's Democracy Action Lab for a panel discussion examining political uncertainty, democratic reconstruction, and the risks ahead.
📅 January 7, 12:00 pm PT
🔗 Learn more: https://ow.ly/jBgN50XSeIu
Why do women participate less in politics in Nigeria?
Claire Adida presented evidence on practical interventions that help close the gap and support women’s civic engagement. https://ow.ly/pTg350XEqWR
Claire Adida presented evidence on practical interventions that help close the gap and support women’s civic engagement. https://ow.ly/pTg350XEqWR
Overcoming Barriers to Women’s Political Participation: Evidence from
ow.ly
December 30, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Why do women participate less in politics in Nigeria?
Claire Adida presented evidence on practical interventions that help close the gap and support women’s civic engagement. https://ow.ly/pTg350XEqWR
Claire Adida presented evidence on practical interventions that help close the gap and support women’s civic engagement. https://ow.ly/pTg350XEqWR
How does foreign aid shape bureaucratic behavior?
CDDRL postdoctoral scholar Dr. Maria Nagawa's seminar explored how aid projects affect incentives, effort, and institutional capacity. https://ow.ly/b5EU50XEqRf
CDDRL postdoctoral scholar Dr. Maria Nagawa's seminar explored how aid projects affect incentives, effort, and institutional capacity. https://ow.ly/b5EU50XEqRf
Foreign Aid and the Performance of Bureaucrats
ow.ly
December 29, 2025 at 5:25 PM
How does foreign aid shape bureaucratic behavior?
CDDRL postdoctoral scholar Dr. Maria Nagawa's seminar explored how aid projects affect incentives, effort, and institutional capacity. https://ow.ly/b5EU50XEqRf
CDDRL postdoctoral scholar Dr. Maria Nagawa's seminar explored how aid projects affect incentives, effort, and institutional capacity. https://ow.ly/b5EU50XEqRf
Can financial literacy shift climate beliefs across party lines?
Saumitra Jha presented new evidence showing that personal financial exposure can influence support for climate policy. https://ow.ly/z1tb50XEqO4
Saumitra Jha presented new evidence showing that personal financial exposure can influence support for climate policy. https://ow.ly/z1tb50XEqO4
The Effects of Financial Exposures on Support for Climate Action
ow.ly
December 26, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Can financial literacy shift climate beliefs across party lines?
Saumitra Jha presented new evidence showing that personal financial exposure can influence support for climate policy. https://ow.ly/z1tb50XEqO4
Saumitra Jha presented new evidence showing that personal financial exposure can influence support for climate policy. https://ow.ly/z1tb50XEqO4
The Fisher Family Summer Fellows Program is a unique forum for emerging leaders to connect, exchange experiences & explore new models and frameworks to enhance their ability to promote democratic change in their home countries.
Apply by January 15: https://cddrl.fsi.stanford.edu/summerfellows/apply
Apply by January 15: https://cddrl.fsi.stanford.edu/summerfellows/apply
December 23, 2025 at 7:25 PM
The Fisher Family Summer Fellows Program is a unique forum for emerging leaders to connect, exchange experiences & explore new models and frameworks to enhance their ability to promote democratic change in their home countries.
Apply by January 15: https://cddrl.fsi.stanford.edu/summerfellows/apply
Apply by January 15: https://cddrl.fsi.stanford.edu/summerfellows/apply
Why do authoritarian regimes repress elections selectively?
UC Davis political scientist Lauren Young joined CDDRL to explain how elite cohesion shapes when and how electoral repression gets deployed. https://cddrl.fsi.stanford.edu/news/elite-cohesion-and-politics-electoral-repression
UC Davis political scientist Lauren Young joined CDDRL to explain how elite cohesion shapes when and how electoral repression gets deployed. https://cddrl.fsi.stanford.edu/news/elite-cohesion-and-politics-electoral-repression
Elite Cohesion and the Politics of Electoral Repression
cddrl.fsi.stanford.edu
December 22, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Why do authoritarian regimes repress elections selectively?
UC Davis political scientist Lauren Young joined CDDRL to explain how elite cohesion shapes when and how electoral repression gets deployed. https://cddrl.fsi.stanford.edu/news/elite-cohesion-and-politics-electoral-repression
UC Davis political scientist Lauren Young joined CDDRL to explain how elite cohesion shapes when and how electoral repression gets deployed. https://cddrl.fsi.stanford.edu/news/elite-cohesion-and-politics-electoral-repression
Opposition parties often look abroad for leverage.
CDDRL's Einstein-Moos Postdoctoral Fellow Oren Samet explained how “opposition diplomacy” draws attention to repression and shapes international pressure, while exposing challengers to real risks.
CDDRL's Einstein-Moos Postdoctoral Fellow Oren Samet explained how “opposition diplomacy” draws attention to repression and shapes international pressure, while exposing challengers to real risks.
Challenging Autocrats Abroad: Opposition Parties on the International
cddrl.fsi.stanford.edu
December 19, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Opposition parties often look abroad for leverage.
CDDRL's Einstein-Moos Postdoctoral Fellow Oren Samet explained how “opposition diplomacy” draws attention to repression and shapes international pressure, while exposing challengers to real risks.
CDDRL's Einstein-Moos Postdoctoral Fellow Oren Samet explained how “opposition diplomacy” draws attention to repression and shapes international pressure, while exposing challengers to real risks.
#Ukrainian practitioners & policymakers: Apply now for CDDRL's Strengthening Ukrainian Democracy and Development (SU-DD) Program — a short-term training program to foster actionable solutions to current challenges for Ukrainian democracy & human development➡️ https://cddrl.fsi.stanford.edu/su-dd
December 18, 2025 at 8:00 PM
#Ukrainian practitioners & policymakers: Apply now for CDDRL's Strengthening Ukrainian Democracy and Development (SU-DD) Program — a short-term training program to foster actionable solutions to current challenges for Ukrainian democracy & human development➡️ https://cddrl.fsi.stanford.edu/su-dd
Democratic revolutions can be powerful — and fragile.
Georgetown School of Foreign Service assistant professor Killian Clarke joined CDDRL to discuss why counterrevolutions emerge even after successful uprisings. https://ow.ly/uj8c50XEnhu
Georgetown School of Foreign Service assistant professor Killian Clarke joined CDDRL to discuss why counterrevolutions emerge even after successful uprisings. https://ow.ly/uj8c50XEnhu
The Fragility of Democratic Revolutions: Why Counterrevolutions Emerge and
ow.ly
December 17, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Democratic revolutions can be powerful — and fragile.
Georgetown School of Foreign Service assistant professor Killian Clarke joined CDDRL to discuss why counterrevolutions emerge even after successful uprisings. https://ow.ly/uj8c50XEnhu
Georgetown School of Foreign Service assistant professor Killian Clarke joined CDDRL to discuss why counterrevolutions emerge even after successful uprisings. https://ow.ly/uj8c50XEnhu
"My influence on policy has been felt primarily through the work that my students go on to do."
Read our new Q&A with Marcel Fafchamps and view his keynote address on Behavioral Markets from our recent symposium celebrating his career and contributions: https://ow.ly/fF8v50XEr4i
Read our new Q&A with Marcel Fafchamps and view his keynote address on Behavioral Markets from our recent symposium celebrating his career and contributions: https://ow.ly/fF8v50XEr4i
Meet Our Researchers: Dr. Marcel Fafchamps
ow.ly
December 16, 2025 at 10:00 PM
"My influence on policy has been felt primarily through the work that my students go on to do."
Read our new Q&A with Marcel Fafchamps and view his keynote address on Behavioral Markets from our recent symposium celebrating his career and contributions: https://ow.ly/fF8v50XEr4i
Read our new Q&A with Marcel Fafchamps and view his keynote address on Behavioral Markets from our recent symposium celebrating his career and contributions: https://ow.ly/fF8v50XEr4i
How does economic pressure undermine democratic opposition?
Pre-doctoral fellow Hanna Folsz presented her research in a CDDRL seminar showing how targeted retaliation contributes to declining opposition quality in Hungary. https://ow.ly/QMay50XE98a
Pre-doctoral fellow Hanna Folsz presented her research in a CDDRL seminar showing how targeted retaliation contributes to declining opposition quality in Hungary. https://ow.ly/QMay50XE98a
Economic Retaliation and the Decline of Opposition Quality
ow.ly
December 15, 2025 at 6:00 PM
How does economic pressure undermine democratic opposition?
Pre-doctoral fellow Hanna Folsz presented her research in a CDDRL seminar showing how targeted retaliation contributes to declining opposition quality in Hungary. https://ow.ly/QMay50XE98a
Pre-doctoral fellow Hanna Folsz presented her research in a CDDRL seminar showing how targeted retaliation contributes to declining opposition quality in Hungary. https://ow.ly/QMay50XE98a
The EU faces a growing internal challenge: democratic erosion from within.
Visiting Professor of Law Kim Lane Scheppele joined CDDRL on Nov. 19 to explain how backsliding in member states threatens the Union’s legal and political foundations. https://ow.ly/OK5r50XE8Cl
Visiting Professor of Law Kim Lane Scheppele joined CDDRL on Nov. 19 to explain how backsliding in member states threatens the Union’s legal and political foundations. https://ow.ly/OK5r50XE8Cl
Guarding Democracy from Within: The EU’s Struggle Against Internal
ow.ly
December 12, 2025 at 6:05 PM
The EU faces a growing internal challenge: democratic erosion from within.
Visiting Professor of Law Kim Lane Scheppele joined CDDRL on Nov. 19 to explain how backsliding in member states threatens the Union’s legal and political foundations. https://ow.ly/OK5r50XE8Cl
Visiting Professor of Law Kim Lane Scheppele joined CDDRL on Nov. 19 to explain how backsliding in member states threatens the Union’s legal and political foundations. https://ow.ly/OK5r50XE8Cl
🗣️ Calling all democracy activists! There is still time to apply for the 2026 Fisher Family Summer Fellows Program at Stanford to participate in a life-changing experience!
Applications close January 15 at 11:59 pm PST. Learn more and get started ➡️ https://cddrl.fsi.stanford.edu/summerfellows/apply
Applications close January 15 at 11:59 pm PST. Learn more and get started ➡️ https://cddrl.fsi.stanford.edu/summerfellows/apply
December 11, 2025 at 6:00 PM
🗣️ Calling all democracy activists! There is still time to apply for the 2026 Fisher Family Summer Fellows Program at Stanford to participate in a life-changing experience!
Applications close January 15 at 11:59 pm PST. Learn more and get started ➡️ https://cddrl.fsi.stanford.edu/summerfellows/apply
Applications close January 15 at 11:59 pm PST. Learn more and get started ➡️ https://cddrl.fsi.stanford.edu/summerfellows/apply
Police-led armed groups play a powerful and often hidden role in Rio de Janeiro.
At a Nov. 20 seminar, CDDRL's Gerhard Casper Postdoctoral Fellow in Rule of Law Ana Paula Pellegrino shared new research on how these groups form and what sets them apart. https://ow.ly/lJoE50XE8QA
At a Nov. 20 seminar, CDDRL's Gerhard Casper Postdoctoral Fellow in Rule of Law Ana Paula Pellegrino shared new research on how these groups form and what sets them apart. https://ow.ly/lJoE50XE8QA
Organizing from Within: Defining and Classifying Police-Led Armed Groups in
ow.ly
December 10, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Police-led armed groups play a powerful and often hidden role in Rio de Janeiro.
At a Nov. 20 seminar, CDDRL's Gerhard Casper Postdoctoral Fellow in Rule of Law Ana Paula Pellegrino shared new research on how these groups form and what sets them apart. https://ow.ly/lJoE50XE8QA
At a Nov. 20 seminar, CDDRL's Gerhard Casper Postdoctoral Fellow in Rule of Law Ana Paula Pellegrino shared new research on how these groups form and what sets them apart. https://ow.ly/lJoE50XE8QA
Looking for a fresh winter read or a last-minute gift? Check out these books from CDDRL faculty that have been published over the last year ➡️ https://ow.ly/9eq450XFpHa
December 9, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Looking for a fresh winter read or a last-minute gift? Check out these books from CDDRL faculty that have been published over the last year ➡️ https://ow.ly/9eq450XFpHa
🗳️ How do lessons from 2024 shape what to expect in 2026?
On Dec. 4, Nate Persily joined CDDRL to break down what went right, what went wrong, and why election administration remains a critical vulnerability for U.S. democracy. https://ow.ly/Ob0K50XE89z
On Dec. 4, Nate Persily joined CDDRL to break down what went right, what went wrong, and why election administration remains a critical vulnerability for U.S. democracy. https://ow.ly/Ob0K50XE89z
Election Administration, 2024 to 2026: Lessons Learned and Causes for
ow.ly
December 8, 2025 at 6:01 PM
🗳️ How do lessons from 2024 shape what to expect in 2026?
On Dec. 4, Nate Persily joined CDDRL to break down what went right, what went wrong, and why election administration remains a critical vulnerability for U.S. democracy. https://ow.ly/Ob0K50XE89z
On Dec. 4, Nate Persily joined CDDRL to break down what went right, what went wrong, and why election administration remains a critical vulnerability for U.S. democracy. https://ow.ly/Ob0K50XE89z
CDDRL’s research seminar series brings scholars from Stanford & beyond to examine the forces shaping democracy, development, and the rule of law.
Through the end of the year, we’re sharing highlights from the work presented this quarter.
Through the end of the year, we’re sharing highlights from the work presented this quarter.
December 8, 2025 at 4:30 PM
CDDRL’s research seminar series brings scholars from Stanford & beyond to examine the forces shaping democracy, development, and the rule of law.
Through the end of the year, we’re sharing highlights from the work presented this quarter.
Through the end of the year, we’re sharing highlights from the work presented this quarter.
"My ultimate goal is to support better policy and decision-making through my academic work, where research directly informs practitioners and policymakers."
Read our new Q&A with CDDRL Research Scholar María Ignacia Curiel: https://ow.ly/k6s850Xx63J
Read our new Q&A with CDDRL Research Scholar María Ignacia Curiel: https://ow.ly/k6s850Xx63J
Meet Our Researchers: María Ignacia Curiel
ow.ly
November 24, 2025 at 7:25 PM
"My ultimate goal is to support better policy and decision-making through my academic work, where research directly informs practitioners and policymakers."
Read our new Q&A with CDDRL Research Scholar María Ignacia Curiel: https://ow.ly/k6s850Xx63J
Read our new Q&A with CDDRL Research Scholar María Ignacia Curiel: https://ow.ly/k6s850Xx63J
We are excited to announce the Jan Koum Israel Studies Program, housed at @stanfordcddrl.bsky.social at @fsi.stanford.edu, which will advance student, faculty, and public knowledge of modern Israel through cross-disciplinary education and research.
Read the full announcement:
Read the full announcement:
Gift from the Koum Family Foundation endows Israel Studies Program
Building on a successful pilot at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, the Jan Koum Israel Studies Program will deepen understanding of Israel through new classes, collaborative res...
news.stanford.edu
November 19, 2025 at 7:54 PM
We are excited to announce the Jan Koum Israel Studies Program, housed at @stanfordcddrl.bsky.social at @fsi.stanford.edu, which will advance student, faculty, and public knowledge of modern Israel through cross-disciplinary education and research.
Read the full announcement:
Read the full announcement:
“Freedom is fragile — but it can also be resilient.” ~ @larrydiamond.bsky.social at the #BerlinFreedomConference
He called for unity among democracies to defend Ukraine and Taiwan, warning that the new cold war with authoritarianism demands conviction and resolve. https://ow.ly/AxWA50Xrjxu
He called for unity among democracies to defend Ukraine and Taiwan, warning that the new cold war with authoritarianism demands conviction and resolve. https://ow.ly/AxWA50Xrjxu
Reversing the Authoritarian Wave
ow.ly
November 13, 2025 at 7:18 PM
“Freedom is fragile — but it can also be resilient.” ~ @larrydiamond.bsky.social at the #BerlinFreedomConference
He called for unity among democracies to defend Ukraine and Taiwan, warning that the new cold war with authoritarianism demands conviction and resolve. https://ow.ly/AxWA50Xrjxu
He called for unity among democracies to defend Ukraine and Taiwan, warning that the new cold war with authoritarianism demands conviction and resolve. https://ow.ly/AxWA50Xrjxu
In an interview with one of Stanford CDDRL's undergraduate research assistants, Michael McFaul discusses great power competition, U.S.–China relations, Cold War legacies, the role of ideology in shaping global politics, and his new book — out now.
Read the Q&A: https://ow.ly/WOKw50XqhC5
Read the Q&A: https://ow.ly/WOKw50XqhC5
Meet Our Researchers: Professor Michael McFaul
Meet Our Researchers: Professor Michael McFaul Breadcrumb All CDDRL News Q&As October 17, 2025 Meet Our Researchers: Professor Michael McFaul Exploring great power competition, Cold War lessons, and the future of U.S. foreign policy with FSI Director and former U.S. Ambassador Michael McFaul. Khushm…
ow.ly
November 11, 2025 at 11:56 PM
In an interview with one of Stanford CDDRL's undergraduate research assistants, Michael McFaul discusses great power competition, U.S.–China relations, Cold War legacies, the role of ideology in shaping global politics, and his new book — out now.
Read the Q&A: https://ow.ly/WOKw50XqhC5
Read the Q&A: https://ow.ly/WOKw50XqhC5