Miami Conference on Global Democracy

An international conference presented by the Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs

Thursday, April 3, 2025 | 11 AM to 3:30 PM EST |  FIU MMC, SIPA II 102 | 11200 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33199
The conference is free and open to the public.

Be part of the discussion as we examine global challenges confronting democracy around the world. Expert panels and guest speakers will explore the factors driving democratic backsliding, including diminishing public trust in democratic systems, growing economic inequality, social unrest, the rise of populism, the influence of great power rivalries, and the weakening of political institutions. We will take a closer look at two critical areas: the impact of AI on democracy and the phenomenon of elite capture. The conference will explore the global implications for democracy and consider ways to restore and strengthen democratic principles worldwide. What steps can we take to safeguard and fortify democracy moving forward?

11:00 AM — Welcome Remarks

Rebecca Friedman, Department of History

11:10 AM — Panel One: The Role of Technology in Strengthening (or Undermining?) Democracy

This panel explores the complex intersection of technology and democracy, focusing on technology’s potential to either strengthen or undermine democratic systems. Experts will discuss how technology,  including artificial intelligence, influences political decision-making, news and information, and social cohesion. Key topics include ethical challenges, AI governance, surveillance, and impacts on democratic values. The discussion will also explore technology’s evolving role in shaping the future of democracy and how to navigate these transformative technologies responsibly.

Mihaela Pintea, Department of Economics

Mike Asencio, Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy
Louise Marie Hurel, Royal United Services Institute
August Cole, Scowcroft Center on Strategy and Security, Atlantic Council
Donavon Antoney Johnson, Department of Public Policy & Administration

Inga Trauthig, Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy

12:30 PM — Luncheon Keynote Conversation ⋅ Defending Democracy in the 21st Century: Challenges, Opportunities and the Path Forward for Venezuela

Introduction

Besiki Luka Kutateladze, Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice

Keynote Presenters

Maria Corina Machado, Venezuelan Opposition Leader
Damon Wilson, National Endowment for Democracy

Discussant

Ofelia Riquezes, Václav Havel Program for Human Rights & Democracy

2:00 PM — Panel Two: The Enemy Within: How Elite Capture Undermines Democratic Governance

This panel examines how authoritarian regimes threaten democratic governance in other countries through manipulation and control of political and economic elites. Experts will discuss how authoritarian countries influence political, economic, and social systems to serve their interests, often at the expense of the broader public. Topics include the erosion of political accountability, economic inequality, and the weakening of democratic institutions. The discussion will also explore strategies to combat elite capture, thus building democratic resilience to authoritarian power.

Oren B. Stier, Department of Religious Studies

John Clark, Department of Politics & International Relations
Nicole Bibbins Sedaca, George W. Bush Institute
Sarah Cook, Independent Researcher and Consultant
Nino Evgenidze, Economic Policy Research Center

Eduardo Gamarra, Department of Politics & International Relations

3:15 PM — Summary Remarks

Jazmine Exford, Department of Modern Languages

3:20 PM — Closing Remarks

Mitzi Uehara Carter, Department of Global and Sociocultural Studies