|
Research and dissemination are hallmarks of the Ash Institute’s continuing effort to catalyze innovation and explore the principles and processes of democracy. Our research is focused on three critical challenges facing democratic societies in the twenty-first century:
|
The Institute builds knowledge through an open exchange of ideas and experiences, bringing together government innovators, practitioners, policymakers, scholars, and advocates from around the world to address pressing concerns for improving the lives of citizens. |
|
|
Innovations in Government: Research, Recognition, and Replication
Innovations in Government: Research, Recognition, and Replication presents a comprehensive approach to advancing the practice and study of innovation in government. It discusses new research on innovation, explores the impact of several programs that recognize innovation, and considers challenges to the replication of innovations. |
|
Bangladesh Democracy Conference
The Bangladesh Development Initiative (BDI), a USA-based non-profit organization, in collaboration with the Democracy and Development in Bangladesh Forum (DDBF) and the Ash Institute will host this two-day conference examining the economic, political, and social issues facing Bangladesh in the 21st century. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in panel discussions on improving education quality and impact; private sector and infrastructure development; microfinance; aid, FDI, and remittances; and solutions for revitalizing democracy. Speakers include Institute Director Gowher Rizvi and BRAC University Vice Chancellor Dr. Jamilur R. Choudhury. To attend, please contact Bruce Jackan at 617-495-7548. |
|
China: Challenge and Change
Since the late 1970s, China has been transitioning from a planned economy to a market economy, from a rural and closed society to an urban and open society, and from a governance structure based on individual will and charisma to one based on democratic principles and rule of law. While the first two transitions have generated tremendous achievements over the past 30 years, progress on the latter transition has not been as successful. Nevertheless, there have been gradual evolutions within the political system that have fundamentally changed the way China’s governance system operates. Because many of these changes have been gradual, they have not attracted the attention they deserve. The Ash Institute and the HKS Asia Programs jointly sponsored China: Challenge and Change on Thursday, April 10th. Discussion sessions will address the following topics: "Results and Implications of the Party and People’s Congresses," "Understanding the Chinese Policy Process," "Key Institutions and Players," "Sectoral Challenges," and "Security and Foreign Affairs." |
|
Dr. Lan Xue China is currently making the transition from a planned economy to a market economy, from a rural and agricultural society to an urban and industrial society, and from a governance structure based on individual will and charisma to one based on democratic principles and the rule of law. While the first two transitions have made significant progress over the past two decades, the latter one has not. There are increasing concerns that if China’s political reform does not keep pace with its economic reform, China may be turned into a society characterized by corruption, inequality, and social tension. Professor Xue's research will document the current incremental reforms in the public policy process in China, investigate the roles different social institutions have played in these processes, and assess the impacts and limits of these reforms on the political development in China in terms of building infrastructure for democracy. |
|
Dr. Kay Schlozman
Research Scholar, 2006 - 2007 Political arrangements can have consequences for equal citizenship in various ways: for example, by controlling who is considered a citizen or which citizens have the right to participate fully in governing; by facilitating or inhibiting the conversion of market resources into political influence; by creating circumstances in which some votes count more than others; by affecting the likelihood that citizens will be able to elect candidates of their choice; by fostering the representation of particular interests. Through a comparative approach that places American practices in the context of political arrangements in other democracies -- both long-established ones and, where appropriate, emerging ones -- Professor Schlozman's research focuses on the political institutions, procedural rules, and representative arrangements that have implications for democratic equality among citizens. |
Beginning in 2004, the Institute initiated an annual research grant competition open to all Harvard Kennedy School faculty. While the current application deadline for HKS research and retreat grants has passed, applicants are encouraged to contact Bruce Jackan for details. Visit the following links for additional information concerning the Ash Institute's research grant competition: