The platform aims to provide new and deeper insights into the contemporary, and changing, political landscape – particularly how the form and content of democracy is affected by two seemingly opposing trends: increasing political polarisation and wider political participation. The focus is on both the old and the new political actors in civil society, the state and the economy.

The platform’s researchers conduct research on political actors and phenomena such as civil society organisations, social movements, activism, political participation, political parties, public administration, populism, illiberal democracy, de-democratisation, social media, think tanks and lobbying, sub-urban organising, religious organisations, political ideologies and theories of democracy. This research is interested in how individuals and groups communicate, organise and act to promote shared beliefs and interests – and how these actors interact with political institutions.

The platform wants to draw attention to the challenges and expressions of democracy in Sweden and other established liberal democracies, as well as in relatively newly democratised countries (such as in Eastern Europe). Of particular interest are the emerging trends towards authoritarianism or illiberal forms of democracy found in an increasing number of countries.

The platform is interdisciplinary, bringing together more than 50 researchers from different subjects at Södertörn University. These researchers use different theories and methods to examine the democracy’s contemporary expressions and challenges. The subjects that are represented are: Business Studies, Ethnology, Gender Studies, History, History of Ideas, Media and Communication Studies, Philosophy, Political Science, Public Administration, Social Work, Sociology, Study of Religions and Tourism Studies.

The overall aim of the platform is to contribute to new and more advanced knowledge about democracy’s contemporary expressions and challenges by bringing together researchers with similar research interests, highlighting the research conducted at Södertörn University, promoting the development of new research projects, and creating collaboration and dialogue between researchers and relevant societal actors outside the university.