We are partisans for democracy What does that mean? We don't take sides on the political spectrum, but we do defend the rights everyone has as a democratic citizen — from voting to protesting to consuming information from a free press that serves as a check on political leaders.

The McCourtney Institute for Democracy at Penn State draws from the humanities and social sciences to examine democracy from multiple angles. This cross-discipline collaboration is evident in our research, education, and outreach efforts.

Is Democracy Really in Trouble?
16:48
Is Democracy Really in Trouble?
Exploring the Rise of Religious Extremism in America
13:08
Exploring the Rise of Religious Extremism in America
How Republicans & Democrats Fight For Voting Access in Your State
12:11
How Republicans & Democrats Fight For Voting Access in Your State
How Criminal Convictions Impact Voting Rights
11:35
How Criminal Convictions Impact Voting Rights
How Dictators and Tyrants Use Disinformation and Cancel Culture
21:53
How Dictators and Tyrants Use Disinformation and Cancel Culture
America's Slow Civil War: Rising Extremism and Failing Democracy with Jeff Sharlet
45:19
America's Slow Civil War: Rising Extremism and Failing Democracy with Jeff Sharlet
Post-Pandemic America: Society, Public Health, and Polarization
28:21
Post-Pandemic America: Society, Public Health, and Polarization
Can we use the Internet for Democracy? with Cory Doctorow
9:31
Can we use the Internet for Democracy? with Cory Doctorow
2 Systems Effecting Your Local Politics with Alex Burness
48:46
2 Systems Effecting Your Local Politics with Alex Burness
What Happens When Americans Lose Faith In Institutions
7:42
What Happens When Americans Lose Faith In Institutions
Is The Tech Industry Becoming Progressively Worse Today? with Cory Doctorow
44:53
Is The Tech Industry Becoming Progressively Worse Today? with Cory Doctorow
Can Humor And Jokes Really Bring Down Oppressive Governments? | Srdja Popovic
30:28
Can Humor And Jokes Really Bring Down Oppressive Governments? | Srdja Popovic
We NEED these 3 Pieces of a Healthy Political System in Democracy | Danielle Allen
12:20
We NEED these 3 Pieces of a Healthy Political System in Democracy | Danielle Allen
Exploring What REALLY Happened At Charlottesville And January 6th
52:57
Exploring What REALLY Happened At Charlottesville And January 6th
When Liberalism Meets Christianity | Jonathan Rauch
9:14
When Liberalism Meets Christianity | Jonathan Rauch
Is America a Democracy or a Republic? | Democracy Discourse
14:44
Is America a Democracy or a Republic? | Democracy Discourse
Can Democracy and Religion Still Work Together in 2025?
31:41
Can Democracy and Religion Still Work Together in 2025?
Trump's Duty as an Elected Leader | Rachel Kleinfeld and Nicole Bibbins Sedaca
6:11
Trump's Duty as an Elected Leader | Rachel Kleinfeld and Nicole Bibbins Sedaca
Polarization is Not a Sole Cause of Political Violence | Rachel Kleinfeld and Nicole Bibbins Sedaca
4:52
Polarization is Not a Sole Cause of Political Violence | Rachel Kleinfeld and Nicole Bibbins Sedaca
Here's How You Can Change Society | Lisa Silvestri
12:39
Here's How You Can Change Society | Lisa Silvestri
Unlocking the Truth: How People Really Vote - It's Not About Democracy | Scott Warren
10:57
Unlocking the Truth: How People Really Vote - It's Not About Democracy | Scott Warren
How to Prevent Political VIOLENCE with Rachel Kleinfeld & Nicole Bibbins Sedaca
44:51
How to Prevent Political VIOLENCE with Rachel Kleinfeld & Nicole Bibbins Sedaca
What's TEARING us apart? Polarization or partisanship? | Democracy on Fire by Dashiell Quinn
4:43
What's TEARING us apart? Polarization or partisanship? | Democracy on Fire by Dashiell Quinn
How does a BILL become a LAW? | Town Hall Conversations by Sabrina Tomei Gonzalez
4:20
How does a BILL become a LAW? | Town Hall Conversations by Sabrina Tomei Gonzalez
What does a STATE REP do anyways? | Town Hall Conversations by Sabrina Tomei Gonzalez
9:51
What does a STATE REP do anyways? | Town Hall Conversations by Sabrina Tomei Gonzalez
Gen Z is the FUTURE of Politics | Jenny Marquez on Democracy Determined
4:44
Gen Z is the FUTURE of Politics | Jenny Marquez on Democracy Determined
What Does Gen Z Think About Voting? A Candid Conversation | Claire Baek on Dear Government
5:05
What Does Gen Z Think About Voting? A Candid Conversation | Claire Baek on Dear Government
Welcome to the McCourtney Institute for Democracy!
2:01
Welcome to the McCourtney Institute for Democracy!
Where is DEMOCRACY headed in 2025? with Scott Warren
39:39
Where is DEMOCRACY headed in 2025? with Scott Warren
What is the State of Democracy Worldwide? | Democracy Discourse
42:41
What is the State of Democracy Worldwide? | Democracy Discourse