Stanford Center on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law (CDDRL)

03/09/2026

How is the U.S.-Israel war with Iran reshaping the Arab world? Scholars convened by the Stanford Center on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law (CDDRL)'s Program on Arab Reform and Development examined the geopolitical, economic, and institutional consequences of the conflict — and identified six key takeaways.

From the strategic dilemmas facing Gulf states to the long-term risks for democratic reform, their analysis offers a clear-eyed look at a rapidly evolving regional order. Read the full breakdown at the link.

🔗

Six Takeaways on the War and the Arab World Breadcrumb All CDDRL News News March 6, 2026 Six Takeaways on the War and the Arab World Scholars convened by the Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law’s Program on Arab Reform and Development identify six ways the conflict is testing the ...

02/24/2026

As Ukraine marks four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion, recovery efforts are focused not only on rebuilding infrastructure but on strengthening democratic institutions.

Alumni of the Stanford Center on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law (CDDRL)'s Strengthening Ukrainian Democracy and Development Program are implementing reforms across government, media, and public administration. Their work advances public finance, regional governance, independent journalism, European alignment, and transparent procurement systems.

Together, these initiatives show how projects developed at Stanford are now operating across Ukraine’s public sector and civil society, supporting coordinated recovery and long-term democratic resilience under wartime conditions.

Read more about how Stanford-developed reforms are shaping Ukraine’s path forward:

Four Years After the Invasion, Ukrainian Leaders Build Foundations for Recovery Breadcrumb All CDDRL News News February 23, 2026 Four Years After the Invasion, Ukrainian Leaders Build Foundations for Recovery From parliament to regional government to independent media, alumni of the Center on Democr...

02/20/2026

"Americans and many of their leaders are not, in short, ready to give up on democracy promotion and other traditional features of an internationalist foreign policy."

In a new essay for NOTUS, Larry Diamond shares a broader and longer-term view on democracy promotion — why we should do it and how we can build it back better.

In August 1973, Rep. Donald Fraser, a Democrat from Minnesota, convened a series of House hearings on human rights and American foreign policy. It was a dark moment for democracy globally and in the United States. In the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos had declared martial law and was brutalizing the....

02/10/2026

We are deeply relieved by the release of Jesús Armas, a Venezuelan civic leader and 2022 alumnus of CDDRL's Fisher Family Summer Fellows Program, after more than a year in detention.

Jesús was detained in Venezuela by security forces in December 2024 following the country’s stolen presidential election earlier that year. His detention occurred amid a broader wave of arrests targeting opposition organizers, journalists, and civil society actors, and his case drew sustained international concern.

We hope this development contributes to continued progress toward the release of all individuals unjustly detained for peaceful civic and political engagement, in Venezuela and beyond, and toward renewed respect for human dignity, fundamental rights, and the rule of law.

Read our full statement:

2022 Summer Fellow Jesús Armas Released After More Than a Year in Detention Breadcrumb All CDDRL News News February 9, 2026 2022 Summer Fellow Jesús Armas Released After More Than a Year in Detention A Venezuelan civic leader and alumnus of CDDRL’s Fisher Family Summer Fellows Program, Armas was...

01/09/2026

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.

A summary of the discussion and full recording are available below:

Venezuela After Maduro, Explained Breadcrumb All CDDRL News News January 9, 2026 Venezuela After Maduro, Explained A Democracy Action Lab panel weighed competing scenarios for Venezuela’s political future amid elite continuity, economic crisis, and international intervention. Clifton B. Parker A m...

01/05/2026

🇻🇪 What comes next for ?

Following Nicolás Maduro's removal, Venezuela faces a period of profound political uncertainty. This Wednesday, January 7, at 12:00 pm PT, join our Democracy Action Lab for a panel discussion exploring possible paths forward, democratic reconstruction, and the risks of instability or authoritarian rebalancing.

January 7, 12:00 pm PT

12/30/2025

In our opening fall 2025 seminar, Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies Senior Fellow Claire Adida shared results from a major study in Nigeria showing that leadership and collective-efficacy trainings for women significantly increased political engagement, while men’s trainings reduced resistance but did not boost women’s participation. The findings reveal effective approaches — and persistent challenges — in closing gender gaps in civic life.

Overcoming Barriers to Women’s Political Participation: Evidence from Nigeria Breadcrumb All CDDRL News News September 30, 2025 Overcoming Barriers to Women’s Political Participation: Evidence from Nigeria In Nigeria, women are far less likely than men to attend meetings or contact leaders. Clai...

12/29/2025

How does foreign aid shape bureaucratic behavior?

CDDRL postdoctoral scholar Maria Nagawa’s seminar explored how aid projects affect incentives, effort, and institutional capacity.

Foreign Aid and the Performance of Bureaucrats Breadcrumb All CDDRL News News October 6, 2025 Foreign Aid and the Performance of Bureaucrats CDDRL postdoctoral scholar Maria Nagawa examines how foreign aid projects influence bureaucrats’ incentives, effort, and the capacity of bureaucratic institu...

12/26/2025

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.

The Effects of Financial Exposures on Support for Climate Action Breadcrumb All CDDRL News News October 14, 2025 The Effects of Financial Exposures on Support for Climate Action Can financial literacy shape climate beliefs? Saumitra Jha’s latest study suggests it can — and across party lines. Su...

12/23/2025

Our Fisher Family Summer Fellows Program is a unique forum for emerging leaders to connect, exchange experiences, and explore new models and frameworks to enhance their ability to promote democratic change in their home countries.

Apply by January 15: https://ow.ly/uWWP50XFu4C

12/22/2025

UC Davis political scientist Lauren Young joined CDDRL to present her research on the organizational logic of electoral repression.

Her seminar showed why regimes outsource repression, how elites coordinate it, and why cohesion among elites matters.

Elite Cohesion and the Politics of Electoral Repression Breadcrumb All CDDRL News News October 20, 2025 Elite Cohesion and the Politics of Electoral Repression UC Davis Political Scientist Lauren Young examines why authoritarian incumbents use electoral repression selectively, why they often outsour...