The Path to Power Project is a global research initiative that explores how politics and society are transforming in the digital age. Led by a team of experts at the Hasso-Plattner Institute, we aim to translate academic research into actionable strategies for strengthening democracy and promoting equality worldwide.
There is a global crisis in democracy, with a decline spanning over 15 years, not only in authoritarian states but also in long-established democracies. Authoritarian populist leaders, often democratically elected, challenge liberal democratic norms, contributing to the collapse of several democracies. Certain countries exploit these failures to expand their influence through media and soft power. This decline is driven by rising economic inequality, social changes, and growing distrust in political institutions, fueling exclusionary populist movements. The rise of digital technologies and social media, with algorithms that favor divisive content, has exacerbated polarization and violence, particularly targeting minorities, leaving democracies worldwide in search of solutions. Path to Power is a project of the Digital Technology, Governance and Policy research group at the Hasso Plattner Institute of the University of Potsdam. The project is led by Prof. Dr. Estariol de la Paz and funded by the German Development Corporation (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit [GIZ]). The project studies how politics and society has changed in the digital age, with a global focus and the intention to translate academic research findings into governance, corporate, organisation and political practice. Phase One of the research project, which runs from 2024 to 2026, utilises this unprecedented opportunity to develop a global picture of democracy worldwide through studies of elections in a variety of contexts, including in-depth case studies of elections in India, Indonesia, Mexico, Mozambique, Pakistan, South Africa, the USA and UK.
“2024 is an extraordinary year for democracy; more voters ever in history will head to the polls, with elections held in 64 countries plus the EU accounting for almost half of the world’s population. “
Path to Power develops a global picture of democracy worldwide through high-quality research in many themes and political contexts.
Our research findings provide the public and key decision-makers with insights for impactful positive changes to politics and society globally.
We raise awareness of political challenges in the digital age, sharing research to promote democratic governance and reduce inequality.
