On April 14-15, the University of St. Gallen (HSG) hosted our research workshop International Democracy Promotion at Times of Global Autocratisation. The event marked the launch of a new phase of the External Democracy Promotion academic network, which over the next four years will explore how intensifying global autocratisation is reshaping the theory and practice of democracy promotion. The workshop enabled rich discussions on three core challenges to democracy promotion:

• • The impact of autocratisation in recipient countries on democracy promotion policies;
  • The effects of democratic backsliding in donor countries on strategy formation and implementation;
  • The consequences of shifting global norms and power balances due to the rise of non-democratic donors.

Participants shared current research and conceptual approaches in a deliberately intimate setting that encouraged focused debate and constructive feedback. With an emphasis on short presentations and ample time for discussion, the format supported critical engagement across disciplinary and methodological lines.

A highlight of the conference was the keynote lecture by HSG Guest Professor Dan Drezner (Fletcher School, Tufts University) titled „Does the Madman Theory Actually Work?“. In it, Drezner examined the strategic use of unpredictability in international diplomacy- a tactic famously attributed to US Presidents Nixon and Trump. He questioned whether projecting a volatile persona can actually influence adversaries and deliver foreign policy gains. Drawing on his broader research, Drezner argued that while the Madman theory may succeed under specific conditions, its effectiveness is highly contingent on how other states perceive and react to such behaviour. His analysis offered provocative insights into the risks and limits of erratic leadership styles, particularly in an era marked by global power shifts and authoritarian resurgence.

The conference generated several key insights. Among them was the recognition that existing democracy promotion research often remains under-theorised – particularly in light of increasingly complex regime trajectories and the erosion of liberal norms. A shared motivation emerged to advance more nuanced conceptual frameworks that account for these evolving conditions. In particular, participants stressed the importance of bridging gaps between subfields such as Comparative Politics and International Relations, and between empirical research and theoretical development.

The event succeeded in strengthening the connections between the network members and laying the groundwork for future collaborations. It also reinforced the importance of sustained, interdisciplinary engagement to better understand—and respond to—the challenges facing international democracy promotion in an era of growing autocratisation.