How democracy depends on science - and must protect it

Key Points:

• Governments worldwide are increasingly restricting academic freedom and interfering with research funding and personnel decisions, while some scientists face politically motivated attacks, raising concerns about the health of democracy.
• Science and democracy are deeply interconnected, with science providing verified information and independent knowledge essential for informed decision-making and fostering democratic resilience through shared factual baselines, trust in institutions, and adaptive policy tools.
• The rise of AI and digital platforms presents both opportunities and risks for democratic participation, including misinformation and manipulation, necessitating transparent data, independent media, safeguards against interference, and improved understanding of AI’s impact on public discourse.
• Trust in democratic institutions is strengthened when governance is informed by transparent, diverse, and independent scientific expertise, though politicization and selective support of science threaten this legitimacy and public confidence.
• Ensuring scientific independence requires stable public funding, transparent advisory processes, and public engagement through education and accessible information, enabling science to contribute effectively to democratic decision-making and societal trust.