The Diamond Brown Chair Conference on Democratic Studies organizes with the support of the Centre for the Study of democratic Citizenship, the McGill Political Science department,  and the McGill Max Bell School of Public Policy.

From Democratic Resilience to Recession: Global and Canadian Perspectives on Authoritarian Backsliding

Whenu: November 10-11, 2025 (Full day)
Where: Faculty Club – Ballroom,  3450McTavish, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 0E5

Registration required : https://alumni.mcgill.ca/events/Backsliding.

This conference critically examines contemporary trends of democratic backsliding and autocratization in North America and other regions, exploring the underlying political, social, and institutional dynamics that threaten democratic resilience. Through keynote addresses and comparative panels, the event analyzes the micro-foundations of voter behavior, the erosion of subnational democracies, and the international repercussions of democratic recession. Special attention is given to the implications for Canada and other democracies facing similar challenges, emphasizing the need for robust responses to rising authoritarian tendencies. The conference aims to contribute to scholarly debates on democratic decline and the prospects for democratic renewal in an era marked by political polarization, populism, and global democratic recession.

The Centre for the Study of Democratic Citizenship is funded by the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Société et culture (FRQSC).