The Center for Democracy and Civil Society

The Center: Research and Publications

The Center for Democracy and Civil Society (CDACS) was established to expand and deepen theory, research and teaching on the relationship between democratic governance and civil society. Civil society encompasses those parts of society that are neither government nor business, including associations, non-governmental organizations, non-profit organizations, advocacy groups, citizen groups, social movements, as well as the cultures, norms, and social values that enable these social phenomena.

Through its programs, research activities, and publications, the Center integrates robust theoretical perspectives and rigorous empirical methods, combines domestic and international research and teaching agendas, and brings together scholars and students from diverse national backgrounds and academic disciplines.

 

One of the main current projects of CDACS is the Citizenship, Involvement, Democracy (CID) Survey, which will apply, and expand upon, an innovative European survey about civic engagement and social networks within the context of the United States.  CDACS also publishes the bi-annual Democracy and Society.  This publication is intended to be a venue for the exchange of ideas about crucial issues relating to democracy and civil society, and an outlet for contributions from faculty and students both at Georgetown and from other institutions.

Ph.D. in Government, concentration in Civil Society Studies

The Department of Government, Georgetown University and the Center for Democracy and Civil Society invite applications for the Ph.D. in Government with a concentration in civil society studies. The new Ph.D. program requirements consists in a minor area concentration in the relationship between democracy and civil society, combined with dissertation research focused on democracy and civil society. The concentration is offered in combination with any of the four major fields of study within the program: American Government, Comparative Government, International Relations or Political Theory.

Two fellowships (tuition and stipend) are available for Ph.D. candidates who choose the Democracy and Civil Society concentration. Fellowships are renewable for up to five years, contingent upon satisfactory academic performance in the program. Fellows will help to develop the activities of the Center, which will include ongoing research projects and seminar series. Those interested in being considered for these targeted fellowships should submit a regular Graduate School of Arts and Sciences application by the posted deadline, and indicate in the Statement of Purpose an interest in being considered for the Democracy and Civil Society fellowships and program.

For more information please contact Tatiana Mollazadeh, Graduate and Ph.D. Programs Officer in the Department of Government.