The Geneva Debate successfully hosted the fourth edition of its annual tradition of cultivating public debating culture at the Graduate Institute on 5 May. The Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy was happy to support the event, which focused on the state of democracy in the world.
Two teams of master’s students from the Geneva Graduate Institute—drawing on interdisciplinary studies in law, economics, and anthropology—engaged in a spirited and critical debate on the theme. The motion, “This House Believes that Democracy is Dying” was carefully tested three months before and chosen as the most relevant by the Geneva Debate Executive Board. Held in a dynamic debate format, the event tackled some of the most pressing questions about democratic institutions and participation.
A key idea that emerged from the debate was that the definition of democracy is not static, but has shifted considerably over the decades. Technology now allows for new forms of participation and governance, raising questions about how institutions can keep up.
As students reflected on past lessons and future challenges, the event served as a powerful reminder that democracy is not a fixed model, but an ever-evolving process shaped by those who engage with it.
Despite troubling trends such as the rise in polarising populism and the erosion of trust in electoral processes, there is resilience that carries global citizens through dark times who are reimagining the future of democracy.
While the crux of the debate was functional and institutional legitimacy versus the spirit and ideals of democratic values, the jury ultimately awarded the proposition team.
Proposition:
- Priyadarshini Venkatesh
- Srikar Srivatsa Dahagam
- Maria San Miguel
Opposition:
- Zhuoran Wu
- Paulo Glowacki
Best Speaker Award: Maria San Miguel
Jury Members:
- Charlotte Lindberg Warakaulle, Director of International Relations, CERN
- Imogen Foulkes, BBC News Geneva Correspondent
- Olimjon Bhaktaliev, UN Advocacy and Network Officer, Civicus
- Pablo Demierre, Founder and President, International Institute for Diplomacy
