The 2026 US midterms will determine control of Congress. But the bigger question is what they will tell us about the changing nature of US democracy. Who will decide the midterms in an increasingly polarized country? As traditional party loyalties shift, how important will independent and politically unaffiliated voters become? Are Americans disengaging from democracy, or are they looking for different and more meaningful ways to participate?

The midterms will also take place in a radically changing information environment. Podcasts, influencers, fragmented media, algorithms and artificial intelligence are transforming how voters receive political information, whom they trust and how campaigns try to reach and persuade them. At the same time, the US’ political coalitions are shifting, confidence in institutions remains under pressure, and questions about political participation and representation are becoming increasingly important.

Bringing together scholars, journalists, authors and practitioners, this panel will look beyond predictions to examine the forces shaping the 2026 US midterms and what they reveal about the health and direction of US democracy. It will also ask a question with consequences far beyond the United States: Which of these developments are uniquely American, and which reflect broader challenges facing democracies around the world?

Rather than simply asking who will win, this event asks what the 2026 midterms can tell us about where democracy may be heading next.

Speakers:

• Paul Katz, writer and social entrepreneur, author of the book "Commit Together: A Practical Field Guide to Reclaiming Democracy"

Moderator:

• Christiana Parreira, Assistant Professor, Department of International Relations and Political Science, Geneva Graduate Institute, and Faculty Affiliate, Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy