Author Archives: DemDigest

How China’s sharp power takes aim at democracy

     

As Chinese power grows, Stanford University’s  Larry Diamond breaks down Beijing’s efforts to direct “sharp power” against democratic institutions, notes War On The Rocks. The key battleground appears to be… Read more »

Venezuela: ‘time for democratic transition is now’

     

Global support for Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó expanded Monday as a growing chorus of Western nations increased pressure on the authoritarian regime of cash-strapped Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, the Wall… Read more »

Russian efforts to subvert democracies demand counter info-ops campaign

     

  Vladimir Putin is committed to dividing and destroying the West’s democracies, according to a former confidante. From our conversations in 1992, I realized that Mr. Putin understood that it… Read more »

Is inequality undermining democracy?

     

  Is growing inequality undermining democracy? asks Staffan I. Lindberg, a professor of political science and the director for the V-Dem Institute at the University of Gothenburg. The latest Varieties of… Read more »

How Khomeini betrayed the democratic promise of the Iranian revolution

     

Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini betrayed the principles of the Iranian revolution after sweeping to power in 1979, leaving a “very bitter” taste among some of those who had returned with him… Read more »

‘A Case of Irresponsible Asset Return’ benefits Kazakhstan kleptocracy

     

Following a year-long investigation, the Corruption and Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) have published their full findings on Kazakhstan II, produced in collaboration with the Eurasia Democracy Initiative. Kazakhstan II is… Read more »

E Pluribus Unum. Do identity politics enhance or threaten liberal democracy?

     

The rise of right-wing nationalist populism threatens liberal democracy because populist leaders seek to use the legitimacy they gain from democratic elections to undermine liberal institutions such as courts, the media, and… Read more »

‘Moscow on the Caribbean’: Can Maduro hold on to power in Venezuela?

     

University of Oxford Politics Lecturer Maryhen Jiminez Morales discusses expected changes for Venezuela on the global stage under the leadership of Juan Guaidó (above). Institutional desert Beyond billions in investments, Vladimir Putin is… Read more »

New bipartisan consensus on defending democracy, contesting authoritarians

     

Authoritarian regimes such as Russia and China see two main uses for international organizations: protecting their regimes and undermining Western values. That’s why they try to control and then corrupt them as much as possible…. Read more »