The Journal of Democracy and the Ethics and Public Policy Center

Drawing from their contributions to the latest issue of the Journal of Democracy, this panel of speakers assessed the relationship—both historical and contemporary—between Christianity and democracy. Daniel Philpott examined the role of the Roman Catholic Church in promoting democratization, especially during the Third Wave. Elizabeth Prodromou explored Orthodoxy’s traditional ambivalence toward some aspects of democracy and explained why this may be changing. Robert D. Woodberry and Timothy S. Shah discussed how Protestantism has helped to encourage democratic development throughout the world. Peter L. Berger provided a global overview. George Weigel offered comments.

Peter L. Berger is professor of sociology and theology, and director of the Institute on Culture, Religion, and World Affairs, at Boston University. Daniel Philpott is assistant professor of political science at the University of Notre Dame and faculty fellow at the Joan B. Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies. Elizabeth Prodromou is assistant professor of international relations and associate director of the Institute on Culture, Religion, and World Affairs at Boston University. Timothy S. Shah is the director of the South Asian Studies Program and a research fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center. Robert D. Woodberry is assistant professor of sociology at the University of Texas-Austin. George Weigel is a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center.