According to several indices like the Economist Intelligence Unit and Freedom House, democracy has witnessed consistent backsliding over the years. In many countries, basic civil liberties, such as freedom of expression and participation in the political process, are severely curtailed. The same can be said of so-called "digital freedoms," with the internet also becoming an avenue for repression and surveillance by governments. As democratic processes and institutions weaken, human rights become increasingly vulnerable. Green School faculty examine democratization and political transitions around the world, assess the status of human rights in specific countries, and explore how successful models of democratic consolidation can be applied in different contexts.
| Department | Name | Faculty Research |
| Criminology and Criminal Justice | Luis Salas | Work entails democracy building, governance, and justice systems in developing countries |
| Global and Sociocultural Studies | Doug Kincaid | Works on development and democratization in Latin America |
| Global and Sociocultural Studies | Zachary Levenson | Works on land tenure rights and democratization in South Africa |
| Global and Sociocultural Studies | Matt Marr | Works on land tenure and service rights of homeless |
| History | Rebecca Friedman | Witness Institute for Visual Journalism/Preservation of Democracy Across Borders |
| History | Keyao Pan | Works on the history of human rights and rights-talk in Japan |
| History | Bianca Premo | Works on the emergence of modern rights and everyday uses of law in late colonial Latin America |
| History | Chantalle F Verna | Works on these themes within the context of domestic and international affairs in Haiti, as part of African Diaspora and structural racism worldwide, particularly within the context of the international organization system |
| History | Kirsten E Wood | Works on the development of grassroots political participation and changing definitions of democracy in the early United States |
| Modern Languages | Erik Camayd-Freixas | Researches, publishes, and gives conferences on topics related to migration, diaspora, transient communities, human rights, and democratization. He also participates in advocacy organizations |
| Modern Languages | Santiago Juan Navarro | Research explores how Cuban cinema abroad navigates the complexities of national heritage and diverse cultural influences. It reveals how transnational identities have evolved, the importance of language in transnational dialogue, and the intricate nature of transient communities in today's globalized world. In addition, he founded and curates the Cuban Diaspora Film Archive (CDFA), a transnational platform for discussions on democratic values, human rights, and historical memory. |
| Politics and International Relations | Thomas Breslin | Works on US Diplomatic History; History of China’s Foreign Relations; US—China Relations Ethnicity and Religion in Foreign Affairs |
| Politics and International Relations | Harry Gould | Works on International Relations Theory, Ethics, and International Law |
| Politics and International Relations | Tatiana Kostadinova | Works on comparative politics: elections, institutions, democratization, political corruption, and populism |
| Politics and International Relations | Barry Levitt | Works on the comparative politics of political culture and political institutions in Latin America and other “new” democracies |
| Politics and International Relations | Eric Lob | Focuses on the intersection of development and politics in the Middle East, especially Iran |
| Public Policy and Administration | Donavon Johnson | Works on Cybersecurity policy and leadership |
| Public Policy and Administration | Alexander Kroll | The use of performance regimes and systems in various policy and governance contexts |
| Public Policy and Administration | Daniella Long | Research delves into analyzing policies and programs designed to advance inclusivity, social justice, and equity, primarily focusing on addressing the gender and racial injustices impacting Black Students, Faculty and staff within higher education institutions |
| Public Policy and Administration | Milena Neshkova | Examines why some governments redistribute more than others, the link between redistributive budgets and the size of needy populations |