Research areas

Quality of democracy: analysing the many forms of governance

Challenges and transformations

Representative democracy, the cornerstone of modern political systems, faces unprecedented challenges in the 21st century. Understanding the multifaceted causes of these challenges is a crucial task for the social sciences, and for contemporary political science in particular.

The changing role of political players

The role of political parties and governments is changing. In a globalised world, the position of nation states within the European Union is developing. The forms and arenas of political participation are diversifying, while the rise of “populist” movements reflects a growing rejection of traditional political elites.

A return to the foundations of democracy

The aim of this theme is to analyse the formal and procedural conditions of democracy, the capacity of political institutions to meet these criteria, and the causes and consequences of democratic transformation. The research carried out under this heading includes a legal approach to democracy, theoretical reflections on the criteria of good government and an empirical analysis of political processes.

Key research areas

Using various approaches and methodologies, the work in this thematic area focuses more specifically on:

• Political representation (elections, parties and parliaments): These elements play a central role in representative democracy. This subfield examines the dynamics of representation, the challenges facing political parties and the changing role of parliaments in the 21st century.
• Beyond representation: The success of direct democracy practices and the growing importance of deliberative and participatory experiments in democracy are also prompting research to push back the boundaries set by our representative systems and analyse the principles, procedures and consequences of different democratic practices
• New spaces for democracy: This area of research explores the expansion of democratic principles into new spheres, such as the workplace (economic democracy) and the digital environment (e-democracy). In particular, the rise of digital technologies has had a profound effect on political life, opening up a field of research into the potential and challenges of e-democracy.
• Multi-level governance: With the deepening of the European Union and other supranational organisations, combined with territorial demands for autonomy and independence, the nation-state is being weakened. The analysis of democratic governance and the definition of several territorial levels is a fundamental dimension of the issues facing our contemporary societies. 
• Meeting the challenges of the 21st century. By examining the changing nature of representative democracy and the various challenges it faces, this theme contributes to a better understanding of contemporary political systems and the prospects for democratic renewal. Research conducted in this thematic strand provides valuable information to policy makers, researchers and citizens as they navigate the complex and dynamic political landscape of the 21st century.

International reconfiguration: advanced research into global dynamics

ESPOL-Lab’s ‘Reconfiguration of the international’ research area focuses on the changing landscape of world affairs, offering rich and diverse research on international security, migration, economic globalisation and North-South relations, with particular attention given to the place of the European Union in global change.

Beyond the traditional concept

The development of supranational organisations, international mobility and globalisation has considerably broadened the international dimension of many issues. While 50 years ago international affairs were confined to relations between states, today they have moved closer to the daily lives of citizens, even in times of peace. This area looks at the contemporary international dimension, including issues traditionally seen as domestic, such as migration and terrorism, as well as more traditional areas such as war and foreign policy.

Understanding international issues through a variety of approaches

The theme adopts different perspectives, enabling us to examine the impact of the internationalisation of issues on the domestic and foreign policies of states. The integration of these perspectives provides a deeper understanding of the contemporary challenges and opportunities facing the international community.

Key research areas:

The research carried out under this heading covers a wide range of thematic areas, including:

• International security. This sub-field explores the dynamics of security in the 21st century, examining the role of states (de facto or de jure), non-state actors and multilateral institutions in addressing global security challenges. It includes the analysis of armed conflicts, whether inter-state or civil wars, as well as the evolution of transnational terrorism and new forms of counter-terrorism.  
• Migration and borders. This second theme deals with various issues relating to the mobility of people, including political asylum, economic or environmental migration and the development of international law on these questions. The evolution of migration policies and the effects of migration on national politics are also important aspects of the research in this area.
• Europe and international organisations. This last theme analyses the role played by international and supranational organisations, their development and influence. Particular attention is paid to the European Union and its integration into international organisations and international issues.

Contemporary societies are navigating a period marked by profound and interlinked challenges. Growing social and economic inequalities, persistent poverty, political instability, conflict and war, as well as environmental degradation and climate disruption are reshaping the conditions for human development worldwide. These overlapping crises expose structural weaknesses in current systems and call for a critical rethinking of how societies organise economic, political, and social life.

Politics of and for Societal Development

Our research focuses on two key dimensions of these challenges. First, we explore the politics of societal development, analysing how (global) power relations, institutional arrangements, and dominant economic models contribute to fragmentation, marginalisation, and uneven development outcomes. Deep-seated divisions—such as between the Global North and South, rich and poor, or dominant and marginalised communities—are central to understanding the current dynamics.

Second, we address the politics for societal development, which involves identifying and supporting pathways toward more sustainable, equitable and inclusive futures. This requires rethinking governance, distribution, and collective responsibility in the face of complex, multi-scalar crises. Political responses must be attuned to environmental and climate risks alongside the socio-economic and geopolitical conditions that perpetuate instability and injustice.

Key research areas

This research area explores the politics of and for societal transformation, focusing on:

• Societal and political responses to intersecting crises—including poverty, inequality, conflict, and environmental and climate stress,
• Governance of complex and interconnected challenges (such as food, water, energy, and human security),
• Normative visions of just, inclusive, and sustainable development,
• Pathways toward systemic change through democratic engagement, institutional innovation, and collective action.