Center for the Study of Democracy (St. Mary's College of Maryland)


The Center for the Study of Democracy is a research and education institute at St. Mary's College of Maryland that focuses on the study of the history of emerging democracy in St. Mary's City, Maryland, the site of Maryland'a first colonial capital and the location of many firsts in the development of democratic rights in North America; this work is done in conjunction with studies of modern democracies.
The mission of the Center for the Study of Democracy is to draw historical lessons and also inspiration from history, in order to increase understanding of the processes and principles that lead to the constructive maintenance and enhancement of democracy in the United States and around the world.
It does so by drawing on in-depth historical research, in conjunction with in-depth research on modern democracy-related issues and events, as they both relate to the process of democratization.
The Center also sponsors numerous ongoing public forums and debates and seminars on these issues, many of which are covered by the media.
The debates also often include hosting and moderating major political leaders or policy leaders facing off against their opponents.
The Center for the Study of Democracy also strives to better understand historic setbacks and inconsistencies in the democratization process of historic Maryland and the United States, in order to better understand how these were eventually overcome; taking lessons from history that can then be applied to study of how democracy might be more constructively furthered today. The center Works in particular to increase understanding of how democracy may be enhanced in spite of the many obstacles that democratization often faces.
The Center is jointly run by the Public Honors College, St. Mary's College of Maryland and its partner institution and neighbor, Historic St. Mary's City, one of the nation's preeminent historical and archeological research institutions,

History

The Center for the Study of Democracy was established in 2002. Such notable people as former U.S. District Court judge Thomas Penfield Jackson, former National Security Adviser Anthony Lake former state Senator J. Frank Raley Jr. and former Maryland Governor William Donald Schaefer were very involved in its founding as well as being advisory board members.
So was former Washington Post Editor in Chief Benjamin C. Bradlee.
All of these men also served for years on the Board of Trustees of St. Mary's College of Maryland.

Events

The Center for the Study of Democracy hosts over 25 educational events and or / or public forums per year.

Political forums

The Center hosts forums for state and national politicians on various key issues related to democratic governance, human rights, inclusion, lawmaking and security as it relates to democracy.

Lectures and seminars

The center sponsors and also directly provides many academic and also public lectures on both the historical and modern process of democratization. Learning from history in order to better understand how democracy takes hold, and may be enhanced and spread constructively and effectively.

College educational programs

The center provides a minor in Democracy Studies at the St. Mary's College of Maryland. It also hosts numerous seminars and forums available to students.
It also provides special visiting lecturers and scholars, as well as providing special lectures to other college classes and programs.

Patuxent Defense Forum

The center also hosts the Patuxent Defense Forum, a gathering of high level experts on international security, including representatives from the academic community, foreign policy leadership, defense industry and military leadership. The purpose of the forum is to increase understanding related to the processes that lead to constructive maintenance and enhancement of democracy from a strategic defense point of view.

Public Lectures

The Center also sponsors and hosts public lectures on areas of study related to its mission:

Historical research

The center supports and engages in research focused on examining the birth and emergence of various aspects of democracy in the earlier history of the state of Maryland and also the wider English speaking world. It then applies lessons and perspectives related to this history to modern day issues tied to the furtherance of democracy, both in the United States and in newly emerging democracies around the world.

Contemporary research

Extensive research is also done on issues related to the emergence of democracy in countries where it never previously existed or persisted; enhancement and furtherance of democracy in developed nations as well as furtherance of minority and women's participation in democracy worldwide.

National Public Radio

On Maryland and Washington, D.C. public radio, the Center for the Study of Democracy is often sought out for expert commentary.

Funding

The Institution is both publicly and privately funded. It is nonprofit and under the joint operation of the Public Honors College, St. Mary's College of Maryland and Historic St. Mary's City Maryland.
The organization has been funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities. It also has a history of gaining funding from other major granting institutions.

Directorship

The current director of the Center is Dr. Michael J.G. Cain, a professor of Political Science at St. Mary's College of Maryland.
The prior director was Todd Eberly, also a professor at St. Mary's College of Maryland as well as being a noted Maryland political commentator. Eberly is often heard on several radio shows and is often quoted by the Washington Post, as well as writing his own columns.

Notable advisory board members