Category: Democratic institutions

Global struggle for democracy ‘lacking leadership’

     

The past twelve months registered the 14th consecutive year of decline in global freedom, according to Freedom in the World 2020, the latest survey of political rights and civil liberties… Read more »

How authoritarian regimes made coronavirus outbreak worse

     

The coronavirus spread from China, but the ruling Communist Party doesn’t want the world spreading it back, notes Anna Fifield. China’s Communist Party appears mindful that other governments might lack the… Read more »

‘Networks of impunity’ for kleptocrats’ malign activities

     

Kleptocrats regularly exploit Europe’s financial system, according to a new report. In the decade since the global financial crisis, dozens of money laundering schemes linked to corrupt, abusive regimes have come… Read more »

How to protect democracy from digital authoritarians’ toolbox

     

The alliances, cooperation, and coordination that comprise the liberal world order depend on sufficient public political support and trust within and across democracies, notes Michael Colaresi, William S. Dietrich II… Read more »

Advancing democracy: What works and why?

     

“What factors and conditions should exist for local pro-democracy, human rights, and labor organizations  to effect positive change?” The U.S. Department of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL)… Read more »

Media capture: 21st century autocrats’ toolkit

     

Media capture is a situation in which the media are controlled “either directly by governments or by vested interests” which seek political influence rather than profit, according to analyst Alina… Read more »

Understanding the age of mass protests: An escalating global trend

     

The United States has failed to develop a systematic approach to the global wave of protests, failing to shore up US capacity to achieve strategic ends, including shoring up global… Read more »

The rapidly deteriorating quality of democracy in Latin America

     

While some of Latin America’s democracies, such as Uruguay and Costa Rica, are among the best in the world, others — for example, Brazil — have experienced democratic erosion in… Read more »

‘Eerie Endgame of Modern Politics’: Venezuela shows where illiberalism ends

     

  Venezuela’s regime is consolidating control, and prospects for a peaceful transition appear increasingly bleak, notes Eric Farnsworth, VP of the Americas Society/Council of the Americas. The support of Cuba, Russia,… Read more »