About Us
Learn our mission and the importance of the Center for Asian Democracy
The Center for Asian Democracy (CAD), established in 2006, is a research center at the University of Louisville dedicated to researching existing democracies and emerging democratization movements in Central, South, Southeast and East Asia. Through publications, conferences, workshops, visiting scholar programs and research projects, the Center creates a dynamic forum for studying political developments in this vital region while supporting faculty and students in their academic research projects.
The future of democracy across Asia remains a critical global priority. Recent data from the Varieties of Democracy project reveals significant democratic challenges across Southeast, South and Central Asia. India, Afghanistan and Hong Kong ranked among the world's top autocratizers in 2023, while Indonesia and South Korea showed concerning trends despite stronger democratic foundations. China-US competition further complicates democratic reform efforts.
Asia also hosts some of the world's most vibrant democratic participation. Competitive elections swept across the continent in 2024, with over one billion voters participating in just the first six months. Our student research documents these remarkable democratic exercises. Timor-Leste leads global democratization efforts according to 2023 data, while Malaysia and Nepal demonstrate significant democratic progress.
Get Involved with CAD
Join our community of scholars, students and democracy advocates. Connect with us through events, social media and research opportunities as we advance understanding of Asian democracy.