Futures of Democracy & Governance

May 12

Power, participation, and public institutions in a changing world.

From new civic movements to digital authoritarianism, we track the shifting foundations of how societies govern themselves. This theme looks at legitimacy, institutions, global governance, rights, and public decision-making. As political systems are tested by complexity, polarization, and new technologies, we ask: who gets to decide, and how?

• Civic capacity & democratic innovation
• Trust, legitimacy & polarization
• Rights, law & constitutional shifts
• Global governance & geopolitical fragmentation
• Digital governance & algorithmic regulation
• Participation, protest & civic tech

Cases

Rewriting the Story Beneath the Strategy

Development Dynamics

Futures of Youth 2036 (Impact Foresight Project)

Ungdomsbureauet

Foresight Training Module in Public Sector Futures-Ready Leadership Program

Confidential

Anticipatory Governance in Practice

Part of the expert program “Collaborative and Anticipatory Governance” promoted by Diputación Foral de Gipuzkoa, delivered by Universidad del País Vasco, designed and facilitated by Arantzazulab & atelier itd

Futures of Impact Investing

UAE Presidential Court Office of Development Affairs

Democratising Futures Lab

Alliance of Democracies

Shaping a New Master’s in Democracy, Public Institutions & Political Innovation

University of Deusto

Democrisis: Imagining New Futures with Foresight

Council of Europe

Insights

Democracy as a Living, Learning System

New Paths for Collective Action in the Age of Hyperpolitics

Shaping Democracy’s Futures in Moldova

The Need to Reimagine the Futures of Democracy

Megatrends

Megatrends Database

1. Emerging World Order

The global order is being reshaped by shifting power, intensifying rivalries, new alliances, and the securitization of trade, technology, and influence. As traditional institutions come under pressure and new coalitions gain weight, a more fragmented and multipolar world is emerging.

2. Urban Transformation

Cities are becoming central arenas for innovation, migration, climate adaptation, and wellbeing. As urban growth continues, especially in the Global South, cities must balance economic opportunity with livability, affordability, biodiversity, and resilience.

6. Artificial Revolution

AI and emerging technologies are changing how decisions are made, work is organized, and value is created. Their potential is vast, but so are the risks, from bias and surveillance to job disruption, environmental costs, and new concentrations of power.

Get in touch

Democracy & Governance

Mathias Behn Bjørnhof

Futurist & Director, ANTICIPATE
A leading global foresight strategist, Mathias empowers organizations and individuals to navigate uncertain futures. He has successfully guided everything from Fortune 500 and SMEs to NGOs and the public sector to become futures ready.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathiasbehnbjoernhof

Futures of Democracy & Governance

Cases

Insights

Megatrends

Get in touch

Futures of Culture & Lifestyles

Futures of Education & Knowledge