Lebanon’s protests: Prospects for change
Recent turmoil across the Middle East signals the possibility of a second Arab Spring, one observer suggests, noting that across the Arab world, an increasing number of citizens disagree with… Read more »
Author Archives: DemDigest
International Anti-Corruption Day: How graft erodes democracy and the rule of law
We should not be surprised at the increased distance between citizens and democratic institutions given the prevalence of corruption, observers suggest. “In too many countries we are witnessing corruption or… Read more »
Algeria crackdown as election looms: Is a democratic transition possible?
Algeria‘s contentious presidential election campaign is highlighting the deep gulf between young people at the heart of a street protest movement and an ageing elite they see as clinging to… Read more »
Offsetting Sudan’s deep state: Unfolding transition offers promise – and substantial risk
Sudan’s unfolding transition offers both great promise and substantial risk, according to a new analysis. There is every reason to expect that entrenched interests that have benefited under the old… Read more »
Latin America’s protests: Temporary social agitation or a sign of troubled democracy?
Violent protests in Latin America have resulted in destroyed property, thousands of arrests and dozens of deaths. Observers, including scholars of the region, are surprised by the recent turmoil in… Read more »
As disinformation spreads, ‘microtargeting’ advertising tools may threaten democracy
As Facebook sought to recover from its disastrous 2016 election season, company officials debated ways to curb distortions and disinformation on the platform. One of the most potentially powerful… Read more »
Art of Deceit: West’s strategic culture impedes political warfare against autocrats’ sharp power
Authoritarian states have taken a “whole-of-government” approach to weaponizing previously benign activities like diplomacy, media, investment flows, and civil society activity, says a new report. But their activities betray a… Read more »
China’s book-burning a sign of regime’s legitimacy crisis?
Library officials in northwestern China recently hoped to demonstrate their ideological fervor and loyalty to the Communist Party by purging politically incorrect books and religious materials in emphatic fashion: They… Read more »
Holiday
Democracy Digest posts will be light over the coming week due to the holiday and vacation. For regular updates, check out the Digest Facebook page and Twitter feed.
Course Correction? Saudi Arabia’s export of Salafist ideology
Throughout 2016 and 2017, statements from Riyadh suggested that Saudi Arabia might be on the verge of reorienting its decades-long promotion of Salafism around the world, according to a… Read more »