Message from the Director

Welcome to the Center for Asian Democracy

The future of democracy across Central, East, South and Southeast Asia remains an urgent global priority. The 2025 Varieties of Democracy (V-DEM) Democracy Report now rates South and Central Asia as the second-most autocratic region in the world, behind only the Middle East/North Africa. Pro-democracy leaders in Hong Kong faced mass trial under Beijing-backed national security legislation. Even South Korea, among the region’s most consolidated democracies, saw President Yoon Suk Yeol issue a shocking martial law declaration.

At the same time, Asia remains home to some of the largest scale, vibrant democratic participation in the world, even in tough times. Sri Lanka’s 2024 election seems to mark a new era in that country’s politics. Bangladesh saw popular protest force the Awami League from power. South Korean institutions ultimately withstood their crisis period, impeaching Yoon and rewarding the opposition in fresh elections. Challenges remain, in these cases and others, but the promise of democracy and human rights clearly holds continuing power.

The mission of the Center for Asian Democracy, established in 2006, is to promote research, student opportunities and community engagement that advances our understanding of democracy in this diverse region. The 2025-26 academic year saw CAD deepen its extensive activities advancing scholarship, teaching and public engagement.

We invite you to join us in the work ahead.

Siddhant Issar
Rodger A. Payne
Co-Directors, Center for Asian Democracy