What you need to know about India’s elections
Catch up on “rogue operatives,” campaign finance schemes, and concerns about India’s democracy.
Why risk for violence in U.S. rises without Roe
The Dobbs decision alone is not likely to push the U.S. into civil conflict. But when you add in other trends, the risk is ticking upward.
Worried about the state of democracy? Here are some reasons to be optimistic instead.
These factors help countries return to democracy after an authoritarian spell, our research finds
Biden promises to fight transnational corruption. But will the U.S. target friends as well as foes?
Washington tends to avoid confronting allies, this research shows
Are Africa’s leading democracies in trouble?
The sixth in Afrobarometer’s special democracy summit series on Africa
China has invested deeply in Africa. We checked to see whether that is undermining democracy.
The second in Afrobarometer’s special democracy summit series on Africa
Can the U.S. and India depend on each other?
Here are the takeaways from the July 2021 bilateral meetings.
India has become an ‘electoral autocracy.’ Its covid-19 catastrophe is no surprise.
By restricting freedom of speech and freedom of the press, the BJP government can oversee virus′s spread without fearing accountability at the ballot box
Fierce protests in eSwatini grow from citizens’ desire for more democracy, Afrobarometer surveys find
Citizens want constitutional reforms and a more representative government.
How can the world hold Belarus accountable?
Technology has become the ‘long arm’ of authoritarians
Africans find it hard to learn what their governments are up to. It’s no surprise many suspect corruption.
The lack of transparency affects people’s views of government, Afrobarometer surveys find
Serbia’s ruling party just scored a landslide victory. Here’s why the opposition boycotted the election.
Many Serbians distrust the way elections are run.
Will governments use pandemic emergency orders to expand their powers indefinitely?
Two things — watchdogs and sunset provisions — help prevent governments from restricting rights indefinitely
Some European governments acted quickly to fight the pandemic. But not the ones you’d expect.
Here’s why more open governments weren’t as nimble
Hungary just became a coronavirus autocracy
Will Europe respond to Orban’s power grab?
The E.U. is supposed to promote democracy. So why do anti-democratic politicians thrive within it?
Party alliances, subsidies and easy emigration all help soft authoritarians stay in power
African governments are cracking down on the news media. Their citizens might be okay with that.
When Africans think of “the media,” often they think of the hatemongers and fake-news peddlers.
Ukraine elected a sitcom president. What can Western politicians learn from this script?
Voters were drawn to Volodymyr Zelensky’s comedic wit — but also his flexibility.
South Africa’s apartheid regime ended 25 years ago
Democracy has taken root with substantial success.
4 in 10 Africans are deeply committed to democracy. That’s the good news.
Afrobarometer finds that the level of commitment varies dramatically by country. Here’s the breakdown.
Hungary’s democracy just got a failing grade
This week, the Washington-based think tank Freedom House published its
How autocrats can rig the game and damage democracy
Since coming to power in 2010, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor
Can Angola’s new president get rid of corruption and revive his party’s reputation?
[caption id="attachment_76305" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Angolan President João Lourenço, left, and
Are ‘global cities’ an antidote to populism and nationalism? Istanbul offers some hope.
[caption id="attachment_75823" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Istanbul is a bustling, diverse city,
Is democracy really in danger? The picture is not as dire as you think.
[caption id="attachment_69748" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Attendees gather in front of the
Four things you should know about mutinies
[caption id="attachment_74566" align="aligncenter" width="5028"] Soldiers guard a checkpoint in Gwoza, Nigeria,
Evo Morales wants to change the law so he can remain president. Is Bolivia’s democracy in danger?
[caption id="attachment_66628" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Bolivian President Evo Morales in February 2016.
Should we trust democracy ratings? New research finds hidden biases.
[caption id="attachment_65913" align="aligncenter" width="960"] (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)[/caption] Measures of
There’s little evidence that dictators are toppling democracies
[caption id="attachment_59157" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, shakes
Yes, our ‘flawed’ democracy just got downgraded. Here’s why.
[caption id="attachment_54524" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Voters on Nov. 8, 2016 received
Trump’s war on the news media is serious. Just look at Latin America.
President Donald Trump continues to wage his self-proclaimed “running war
The Taiwanese see themselves as Taiwanese, not as Chinese
On Dec. 2, President-elect Donald Trump startled observers when, departing
Only 7 percent of citizens in this African country feel free to join political organizations
[caption id="attachment_51384" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Swaziland flags on display among art
Is there still hope for Turkish democracy?
[caption id="attachment_50791" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan salutes
Do Africans still want democracy? This new report gives a qualified yes.
[caption id="attachment_50077" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A member of the Economic Freedom
Turkey’s coup attempt was unusual, but not for the reasons you might expect
[caption id="attachment_44191" align="aligncenter" width="960"] An armed police officer stands guard
Why Turkey’s authoritarian descent shakes up democratic theory
[caption id="attachment_37754" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivers
Tanzania loves its new anti-corruption president. Why is he shutting down media outlets?
[caption id="attachment_34693" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Tanzania's new President Magufuli has been
Thinking beyond the two-state solution
[caption id="attachment_28893" align="aligncenter" width="908"] A view of the Israeli barrier
Crafting a new constitution doesn't necessarily lead to democracy. Here's what does.
[caption id="attachment_28684" align="aligncenter" width="1484"] Here's what does not necessarily lead
Crafting a new constitution doesn’t necessarily lead to democracy. Here’s what does.
[caption id="attachment_28684" align="aligncenter" width="1484"] Here's what does not necessarily lead
How do you measure 'democracy'?
[caption id="attachment_26386" align="aligncenter" width="1484"] A woman prepares to vote in
How do you measure ‘democracy’?
[caption id="attachment_26386" align="aligncenter" width="1484"] A woman prepares to vote in
How democratic institutions are making dictatorships more durable
[caption id="attachment_22871" align="alignnone" width="620"] Supporters of Sudanese President and National
Why is Tunisian democracy succeeding while the Turkish model is failing?
[caption id="attachment_17862" align="alignnone" width="620"] Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in
Does Botswana deserve its reputation as a stable democracy?
[caption id="attachment_16889" align="aligncenter" width="539"] Voter registration advertisement on a billboard
Where delaying elections can build peace
[caption id="attachment_15703" align="alignnone" width="620"] Muslim worshipers from the PK5 district
Is ranking failed or fragile states a futile business?
[caption id="attachment_12909" align="aligncenter" width="648"] The Fragile State Index 2014, Fund
Why did Morocco’s prime minister call for a boycott of Dannon yogurt?
[caption id="attachment_12184" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Moroccan Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane speaks
Recognition for jurisdiction: A bold move to end impunity for the atrocities in Syria
[caption id="attachment_9731" align="aligncenter" width="300" special=""] Maraat al-Numan, Syria (Photo credit:
Five things you probably didn’t know about African politics today
Though much of the media attention on Africa highlights conflict,
How repressing the Brotherhood could have unintended consequences in Egypt
[caption id="attachment_5616" align="aligncenter" width="600" special=""] Members of an Egyptian family
Azerbaijan post-election report and what comes next
[Joshua Tucker: Continuing our series of Election Reports, the following is a
Azerbaijan (and a U.S. PR firm) wants you to know its elections are fair
[caption id="attachment_1597" align="aligncenter" width="462" special=""] 2013 Azerbaijani presidential election results
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: 2012 Georgian Parliamentary Elections Pre-Election Report
Continuing our Election Reports series in conjunction with the journal
Election Report: United Arab Emirates
This is a a guest post from Zachary Smith, an
New Democracy Dataset in Progress and Need for Albania Experts
One constant about large comparative cross-national data analysis in political
Internet Cynics and Enthusiasts Both Have it Right
Despite featuring the most competitive electoral race in years—including a
Really, Unlock the NSF!
This "post":http://www.ethanzuckerman.com/blog/2011/04/20/us-national-science-foundation-blocks-global-voices-advocacy-website/ by Ethan Zuckerman is pretty extraordinary, and finishes
Press Freedom and (Not) Attending the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony
**Update**: See here for an "updated analysis":https://themonkeycage.org/2010/12/more_press_freedom_and_nobel_a.html. A few days
Disciplining the European Court of Human Rights
The "New York Times":http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/29/world/europe/29russia.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=european%20court%20of%20human%20rights&st=cse has an interesting piece on Russia
2007: “A Notable Setback for Global Freedom”
The new Freedom House ratings of democracy around the world,