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Safeguarding Democracy in an era of geopolitical competition
Democracy is under pressure — and Australia is not immune.
From socio-economic stress and rising inequality to rapid technological change, deepening polarisation, and eroding trust in institutions, democracies around the world are confronting challenges that strike at their foundations. At the same time, non-democratic powers such as China and Russia are actively working to undermine the international rules-based order — making the health of democracies not just a domestic concern, but a defining geopolitical issue of our time.
In this Lowy Institute conversation, Dr Jeni Whalan — head of Australia's Strengthening Democracy Taskforce — joined us to examine how Australia is faring against these global trends, what genuine democratic renewal requires, and why strengthening democracy at home is inseparable from Australia's standing and influence abroad.
Timely, frank and far-reaching, this is essential viewing for anyone concerned about the future of open societies in an era of intensifying great power competition.
Dr Jeni Whalan leads Australia's Strengthening Democracy Taskforce, the Australian Government's dedicated initiative to address the pressures facing democratic institutions and processes at home and internationally.
Featuring
Lydia Khalil
Lydia Khalil is Program Director of the Transnational Challenges Program at the Lowy Institute.