Global Democracy Series – Inequality, Human Development, and Democracy with Helena Hofbauer Balmori and James Long

Interviewed by Kellogg Doctoral Student Affiliate Patrick McQuestion, Helena Hofbauer Balmori of the Ford Foundation and James Long of the University of Washington discuss the significance of participation in democratic governance, with a focus on inclusive decision-making processes. Our guests highlight the role of inequality in the relationship between democracy and economic development and the weakening of democracy globally. They also discuss the rise of organized crime in Latin American politics and the need for further research on the deconstruction of judiciaries in countries like El Salvador and Guatemala. The conversation emphasizes the importance of context and the need for more research on understudied topics in the field of political science.