Defending Pluralism

Our research aims to safeguard pluralism in political institutions and prevent democratic backsliding. Pluralism promotes the diversity of political views in the public sphere, ensuring all voices are heard and considered in the democratic process so long as they respect the dignity, safety, and rights of individuals and groups in society.

“Populist parties often claim to restore power to the people, but their idea of freedom and democracy is fundamentally different from what most of us are used to. Instead of protecting individual liberties and group rights, and ensuring diverse voices are heard, populists push a version of democracy that focuses only on the will of the majority—often at the expense of minorities and dissenters.”

— Jared Wesley, Decoding Politics

“As Republicans steer the United States further away from the pluralist ideal, attempting to concentrate more power in governors and presidents, Albertans should be weary of similar developments in our own province.”

— Alex Ballos, Bashir Bello, and Jared Wesley, The Tyee (2024)

Our Recent Publications

What's the big deal with voter ID?

8 questions every Albertan should ask themselves, their friends, and their MLAs about Bill 20

Universities Must Uphold Pluralism, Not Suppress It

Why universities need to embrace the cornerstone of our liberal democracy

When politicians pick their voters

Why voter ID laws like Bill 20 amount to voter suppression

The UCP is a threat to democracy

It's time we stopped pretending otherwise and took action

Alberta’s voter ID law is a solution for a problem that doesn’t exist

Voting fraud isn’t the issue; it’s the increasing voter distrust caused by Bill 20

Alberta needs a few good tories

The province’s conservative movement has lost its balance, and democracy is paying the price