As this edition was near completion in mid-November, the Maxwell School hosted a naturalization ceremony for 41 new United States citizens from 26 countries. Surrounded by loved ones in our Dr. Paul & Natalie Strasser Legacy Room, their joy, hope and gratitude was palpable.

Before these individuals took the Oath of Allegiance, the Hon. Patrick G. Radel explained that the Maxwell School was a fitting venue given our purpose and that citizenship is in our name. I couldn’t have agreed more.

Since our founding in 1924, we have taken the notion of citizenship very seriously. We spend considerable time and energy as academics defining it, debating it and trying to measure it. Admittedly, when you spend this much time pondering what citizenship means as a concept, it can feel a bit abstract.

The naturalization ceremony was a reminder that citizenship is more than a concept; it is a very real, legal status that confers privileges and responsibilities. It is a license to be a full and participating member of the community in which you live and of our great nation.

This reminder comes at an important time. In our cover story, which begins on page 18, you will read about recent reports that show democracy is declining around the world for the first time in 50 years. Forty-two countries are currently undergoing a regime change toward autocratic rule; these countries are home to 2.8 billion people, or 35 percent of the world’s population.

Our story highlights research projects underway by Maxwell scholars to better understand the causes and consequences of this global backsliding. These endeavors and the work of alumni on the frontlines like Lara Hicks (page 21) and Nuria Esparch (page 24), provide me with hope and resolve in an uncertain time, as our nation continues to grapple with the effects of polarization, disinformation and loss of trust in the media, government institutions and higher education.

When it comes to the latter, I am keenly aware and greatly disheartened by what seems to be rising sentiment that universities are places where far left perspectives on life, policy and society are promoted to vulnerable students. On the contrary, our faculty, including those featured in the cover story, bring diverse perspectives in all ways, and our students have agency and a number of resources to their avail should they ever feel otherwise.

Political scientist Matthew Cleary points out that democracy ebbs and flows over time. However, we can support its underpinnings by carefully evaluating the validity of information, actively participating in our communities when possible, and by seeking mutual understanding through civil discourse and a willingness to consider alternative perspectives.

In these tumultuous times, I am grateful to be part of the Maxwell community given our commitment to engaged citizenship and given the diversity reflected in our students, faculty and staff. We have built an inclusive learning and working environment committed to principles of equity, access and diversity in not only race, ethnicity and gender, but also economic class, geography, political ideology, veteran status, faith tradition and so much more.

The naturalization ceremony was a reminder of this. Several colleagues who have gone through the citizenship process joined the event to show their support for some of our newest citizens. Among them was Baobao Zhang, Maxwell Dean Assistant Professor of the Politics of AI, who joined me in offering welcoming remarks, and Associate Dean Gladys McCormick, who worked with the U.S. District Court and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to coordinate the event.

Yet another Maxwell connection was especially moving. Tomás Olivier, assistant professor of public administration and international affairs, was among the 41 new citizens seated at the front of the room. He joined our faculty in 2023, 11 years after coming to the U.S. from Argentina to pursue a Ph.D.

As we begin a new year, I hope each of you will take a moment, as I have, to reflect on your role in supporting citizenship and democracy. The cumulative impact of our efforts helps counter backsliding and shows that we do not take for granted what many have fought so hard to obtain.

Here’s wishing you peace, health and prosperity in the new year ahead.

David M. Van Slyke
Dean, Maxwell School
Louis A. Bantle Chair in Business and Government Policy