Kimberly Wehle

Kimberly Wehle’s project examines the circumstances under which historically legitimising institutions—particularly the judiciary, academia, and independent media—have failed to uphold democratic norms, thereby facilitating the rise of illiberal and authoritarian actors. She also investigates institutional reforms that could bolster resilience against autocratisation, taking into account the transformative impact of artificial intelligence and the distinctive challenges of the twenty-first century.

In both the United States and Europe, liberal institutions have come under pressure from rising populism, social polarisation, declining public trust, and the complex interplay of legal, epistemic, and communicative structures. Courts interpret constitutional and legal boundaries, academia produces authoritative knowledge and fosters critical inquiry, and independent media mediates public discourse while ensuring accountability for public actors.

When these institutions are captured, delegitimised, or weakened, they create openings for incremental authoritarian consolidation. By tracing patterns of interaction among institutions, her research seeks to provide both conceptual insight and practical policy recommendations.