Why Nations Thrive: Qualities Explaining the Health and Survival of Democracy
Nov. 14, 2025

Many democracies around the world are under strain, leading to a backward movement for many governments and countries. This is leading many to wonder what the next steps are for our world politically.
This provokes the question: What qualities from society are essential to preserve our democracy? What can we do to make our nations thrive again while protecting the people’s rights?
Michael Mazarr, Senior Political Scientist at RAND, explores a way forward to renew American democracy.



















