Democracy Challenged? The 2024 Berggruen Governance Index

Join us for lunch as we unveil the 2024 Berggruen Governance Index, which examines the relationship between the quality of democracy, quality of governance and quality life in over 140 countries over a 20-year period. With democracy under threat and autocratic regimes on the rise across the globe, the BGI illuminates twin fallacies of governance: one that says democracy alone will improve governance performance and the other that assumes only state capacity and financial resources are needed to improve the quality of life. With autocracies like China, Saudi Arabia and Russia rising economically, it’s more urgent than ever to ponder whether nations with low levels of democratic accountability can sustainably increase people’s quality of life to levels matching liberal market economies. Does the BGI suggest that democracy is losing relevance in providing public goods like quality health care and education, or a clean environment? Join us as experts and audience members debate such issues, followed by a reception.

UCLA Kerckhoff Hall

Charles E Young Grand Salon (Walking Directions)

Admission is free, but registration is required for each attendee.

Public transportation: Big Blue Bus (Routes 2 and 17), Culver CityBus (Line 6), Metro

Ride hailing locations: Gateway Plaza, Luskin Conference Center

Lot 8 Parking: Self-parking is available in UCLA Parking Structure 8, Level 4, directly across the street from the center: 405 Hilgard Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90095.

Parking Rates at Pay-By-Space stations - All day: $15, After 4pm: $3-5 (1-2 hours), $10 (all night)

Pay-By-Space only has a limited number of stalls available.

Land and Labor Acknowledgement

As a land grant institution, UCLA acknowledges the Gabrielino/Tongva peoples as the traditional land caretakers of Tovaangar (Los Angeles basin, So. Channel Islands) and are grateful to have the opportunity to work for the taraaxotam (Indigenous peoples) in this place. We pay our respects to Honuukvetam (Ancestors), elders, and ‘Eyoohiinkem (our relatives/relations) past, present and emerging.

We hold sacred the labor of enslaved Africans and immigrants, often exploited, indentured and underpaid, that built and continue to serve our institutions of higher education. We honor the labor and resistance of these ancestors, acknowledge that we benefit from this land and labor, and strive to work towards liberation for all.

Host or Publisher UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs