@techreport{KnudsenAnheierSaraceno, type = {Working Paper}, author = {Knudsen, Edward L. and Anheier, Helmut K. and Saraceno, Joseph C.}, title = {Fiscal Austerity, Economic Stagnation, and Public Scandals: Governance Performance in the United Kingdom Ahead of the 2024 Election}, publisher = {UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs}, address = {Los Angeles}, pages = {iii, 9}, abstract = {As the United Kingdom heads to the polls on July 4th, 2024, the country faces several interlocking crises. Post-2010 austerity measures and the decision to leave the EU have left long-term scars on the United Kingdom´s economy, leading to an economic drift away from other wealthy countries. Changes in key indicators such a productivity and regional inequality highlight this trend. While its governance performance has been among the highest worldwide - in terms of democratic accountability (quality of democracy), state capacity (quality of government) and public goods provision (quality of life) - there are signs of stagnation and erosion, particular in state capacity. Since the latter is a major mediating factor in democracy's ability to produce public goods, there is an urgent need for structural change if the country is to avoid succumbing to even more severe problems impacting its future quality of life. However, any reform effort must weigh the pressing need for public investments with the country´s growing indebtedness.}, language = {en} } @techreport{AnheierSaracenoKnudsen, type = {Working Paper}, author = {Anheier, Helmut K. and Saraceno, Joseph C. and Knudsen, Edward L.}, title = {The 2024 Berggruen Governance Index - Democracy Challenged}, publisher = {UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs}, address = {Los Angeles}, pages = {viii, 96}, abstract = {THE BERGGRUEN GOVERNANCE INDEX PROJECT (BGI) analyzes the relationship between democratic accountability, state capacity and the provision of public goods. It builds upon prior work that examined the impact of governance and democracy on the quality of life. It is a collaborative project between the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, the Hertie School, and the Berggruen Institute.}, language = {en} } @incollection{ToeplerAnheier, author = {Toepler, Stefan and Anheier, Helmut K.}, title = {Theories of Nonprofit Sector, Economic}, series = {International Encyclopedia of Civil Society}, booktitle = {International Encyclopedia of Civil Society}, editor = {List, Regina A. and Anheier, Helmut K. and Toepler, Stefan}, publisher = {Springer}, isbn = {978-3-319-99675-2}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-319-99675-2_805-1}, publisher = {Hertie School}, language = {en} } @techreport{KnudsenAnheierSaraceno, type = {Working Paper}, author = {Knudsen, Edward L. and Anheier, Helmut K. and Saraceno, Joseph C.}, title = {'Lucky' or Lacking? Economic Development and Political Institutions in Australia}, series = {2024 Berggruen Governance Index}, journal = {2024 Berggruen Governance Index}, publisher = {UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs}, address = {Los Angeles}, pages = {iii, 10}, abstract = {Ahead of an important federal election on May 3rd, Australia boasts some of the world's most sophisticated political institutions and a wealthy economy. But does this veneer of success mask deeper structural issues? This report finds that, despite strong measures of GDP per capita and state capacity, Australia has long struggled to move its economy past a reliance on commodity exports—notably to China. At the same time, its democratic innovations such as compulsory electoral participation, early adoption of women's suffrage, and preferential voting conceal a darker history of indigenous dispossession and racial discrimination. To move past these problems, Australia will have to leverage its impressive state capacity and strong educational system to develop a more advanced services sector and foster more complex manufacturing. Given the necessity of innovation clusters in its already-productive cities, this will also require addressing the severe housing crisis in state capitals and encouraging more migration and acceptance of minorities. Only with a more complex economy can Australia ensure future growth and reduce vulnerability to foreign powers like China and the US.}, language = {en} } @techreport{KnudsenAnheierSaraceno, type = {Working Paper}, author = {Knudsen, Edward L. and Anheier, Helmut K. and Saraceno, Joseph C.}, title = {Canada 2025: Governance Challenges Between Resource Reliance and Geopolitical Vulnerability}, series = {2024 Berggruen Governance Index}, journal = {2024 Berggruen Governance Index}, publisher = {UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs}, address = {Los Angeles}, pages = {iii, 9}, abstract = {Although it is wealthy by global standards, Canada's economy faces key vulnerabilities such as excessive reliance on extractive industries, shortages of critical goods such as housing, and heavy dependence on exports to the US. For many years, the country has failed to address these systemic problems. Despite scoring highly on most measures of the Berggruen Governance Index (BGI), its performance has been uneven over the last decade. Indeed, while Canada is generally ahead of the United States in terms of governance performance, its scores for state capacity and democratic accountability trail those of many Western European peers. This parallels a broader disillusionment with Canada's institutions, as public trust in government steadily declined during the 2010s. Addressing systemic challenges will require strident and courageous measures that aim to improve economic diversification and tackle regional inequality. Will the Liberal Party, which has neglected needed reforms for too long—and is now favored to win the elections in April—finally be up to the task?}, language = {en} } @incollection{Anheier, author = {Anheier, Helmut K.}, title = {Secret Societies}, series = {International Encyclopedia of Civil Society}, booktitle = {International Encyclopedia of Civil Society}, editor = {List, Regina A. and Anheier, Helmut K. and Toepler, Stefan}, publisher = {Springer}, isbn = {978-3-319-99675-2}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-319-99675-2_120-1}, publisher = {Hertie School}, language = {en} } @techreport{KnudsenAnheierSaraceno, type = {Working Paper}, author = {Knudsen, Edward L. and Anheier, Helmut K. and Saraceno, Joseph C.}, title = {Progress and Polarization in South Korea: Remarkable Economic Ascent Masks Lingering Fractures}, series = {2024 Berggruen Governance Index}, journal = {2024 Berggruen Governance Index}, publisher = {UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs}, address = {Los Angeles}, pages = {iii, 9}, abstract = {On December 3rd, 2024, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol imposed martial law in what appeared to be an attempted coup, threatening the country's hard-fought democracy. Although the attempt was unsuccessful and consequentially led to Yoon Suk-yeol's removal from office, it exposed lingering challenges in a country that has been one of the century's great democratic success stories. Using insights from the 2024 Berggruen Governance Index, we discuss South Korea's remarkable success and trajectory, and the underlying fragilities in the country that pose threats to democratic stability and governance. Indeed, South Korea has made a remarkable transition from being a war-torn, impoverished, and autocratic nation to one of economic growth and impressive democratization. We find that South Korea consistently ranks very high in democratic accountability, public goods provision, and state capacity. Yet, emerging and ongoing challenges polarize the country. South Korea is in a precarious geopolitical situation with its rival neighbor North Korea, and continues to encounter issues such as gender polarization, economic inequality, and overwork. Moving forward, South Korea must grapple with these societal divisions and the legacy from its authoritarian past. Yet, it has one of the most highly educated societies in the world, a civically engaged population that will be key to protecting the remarkable democracy and economic success that it has already achieved.}, language = {en} } @techreport{KnudsenAnheierSaraceno, type = {Working Paper}, author = {Knudsen, Edward L. and Anheier, Helmut K. and Saraceno, Joseph C.}, title = {Germany 2025: The Slow Decline in Governance Performance Erupts Into Crisis of Government as Geopolitics Worsen}, publisher = {UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs}, address = {Los Angeles}, pages = {iii, 12}, abstract = {This report examines the decline of Germany's economic and political stability over the past decade, emphasizing how structural challenges have eroded the country's once-sterling reputation for success and good governance. Although Germany was lauded throughout the 2010s for its robust economy and political cohesion under Chancellor Angela Merkel, recent developments—including a stagnating export sector, rising inequality, and political fragmentation—have sparked growing concerns. Drawing on data from the Berggruen Governance Index (BGI), the report shows that Germany's scores in democratic accountability, state capacity, and public goods provision, while still high by global standards, have gradually but consistently deteriorated since 2011. Building on these findings, the paper identifies four core drivers of this decline: inadequate investment in infrastructure, backlash against migration, foreign policy vulnerabilities, and the broader impact of the recent economic downturn. The report then connects these developments to the upcoming February 2025 elections, examining how Germany's governance and political-economic trends are likely to influence electoral behavior and shape the policy choices available to a likely CDU-led government.}, language = {en} } @techreport{KnudsenAnheierSaraceno, type = {Working Paper}, author = {Knudsen, Edward L. and Anheier, Helmut K. and Saraceno, Joseph C.}, title = {Balancing Progress and Democracy: Mexico's Governance Under Sheinbaum}, series = {2024 Berggruen Governance Index}, journal = {2024 Berggruen Governance Index}, publisher = {UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs}, address = {Los Angeles}, pages = {iii, 9}, abstract = {With the election of Claudia Sheinbaum as Mexico's first female president on June 2, 2024, the country entered another six-year term under the leadership of the left-wing Morena Party. The previous president, Andr{\´e}s Manuel L{\´o}pez Obrador (AMLO), also of Morena, ruled from 2018 to 2024. This remarkable electoral outcome raises important questions about longer-term trends in Mexican governance and invites comparisons with neighboring countries. Using insights from the 2024 Berggruen Governance Index (BGI), we can look deeper at Mexico's trajectory. We find that, since 2000, Mexico has struggled to catch up with more developed nations like the U.S or Canada in the governance measures but still outpaces many other Latin American countries. The Morena administrations have embarked on ambitious programs of state building and economic nationalism, but these efforts have been criticized for contributing to democratic backsliding, particularly in the conservative U.S. press. Still, Mexico has achieved a solid degree of economic success, rebounding rapidly after the pandemic and GDP per capita increasing by over 50\% since AMLO took over in 2018. Much of this growth has been driven by traditionally poorer southern regions in the country. Despite some signs of success, one of Sheinbaum's key dilemmas will be to balance a more expanded and effective reach of the state—both geographically and economically—without undermining democratic norms. Given resistance to changes like judicial reform, resource nationalization, and use of the military for state-building projects, this will be a difficult balance to strike.}, language = {en} } @techreport{KnudsenAnheierSaraceno, type = {Working Paper}, author = {Knudsen, Edward L. and Anheier, Helmut K. and Saraceno, Joseph C.}, title = {Political Instability and Economic Development in the Sahel: Governance in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Sudan since 2000}, publisher = {UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs}, address = {Los Angeles}, pages = {19}, abstract = {The 2020s have been a troubled decade so far for many countries in the Sahel. Although a serious of coups and widespread political instability in the region have dominated headlines, findings from the Berggruen Governance Index (BGI) indicate this grim picture may be incomplete. Indeed, the BGI finds some notable improvements, especially in public good provision, where some of the Sahel countries profiled in this report are among the most improved worldwide since 2000. However, these improvements rest on shaky ground, as countries in the region have long been trapped by unsustainable economic policies that focus almost exclusively on exploiting the natural resources of the region. This can lead to a vicious cycle of economic and institutional underdevelopment and political dysfunction, as extractive industries lead to elite capture, and uneven and unsustainable growth patterns, with high levels of corruption and violence among those competing for resources, reliance on overseas development aid, and eventually vulnerabilities to geopolitical influence. To address these interlocking weaknesses, this report suggests a dual economic strategy to form the foundations for more resilient institutions: 1) making more productive use of natural resources by building up capacity for higher in-country value-added through domesticating production chains; and 2) building high-tech partnerships with more developed countries to manage climate change and build sustainable agriculture. Based on such economic gains, greater fiscal and administrative state capacities could then be leveraged to create more durable governance institutions, further enabling more resilient development.}, language = {en} }