Research at the Centre
for Democracy Studies Aarau

Direct democracy is the focus of research at the Centre for Democracy Studies Aarau. Research is conducted into the functioning of direct democratic institutions, their prevalence, prerequisites, procedures, and effects—not only in Switzerland, but also in other countries in Europe and around the world.

The further development of democratic systems, institutions and practices are at the center of the second research focus.

History lessons and political education aim to build knowledge of cultural and social sciences and promote skills. They are a prerequisite for mutual understanding of how the world came to be and its characteristics, as well as for safeguarding fundamental democratic values such as human dignity, freedom, and social justice. Children and young people should learn that society is shaped by people and that our actions today will shape the future for all of us.

One cause of the current crisis in democracy lies in citizens’ dissatisfaction with existing democratic institutions. Not only are their achievements increasingly criticised, but also their perceived or actual inability to take up and effectively address important concerns of the population. This new research focus centres on the extent to which democratic innovations can restore the functioning and performance of democracy and thus contribute to its resilience.