In the year of elections, read Margaret Atwood, Mary Beard, Lea Ypi, Elif Shafak and more on what democracy means – and why it matters. In 2024, nearly half the world will take part in a national election, with billions heading to the polls.

It’s a thrilling, unprecedented opportunity for change – yet democracy is also under threat. Women are at the forefront of the fight for democratic rights, as well as being the most vulnerable when those rights disappear. Here, eleven extraordinary women – leaders, philosophers, historians, writers and activists – explore democracy’s power to uplift our societies.

Between its ancient origins and its modern challenges, they share a vision for a better future – one we can build together.