Democratic modernity ‘not enough’ for CEE
The illiberal, populist drift in Central and Eastern Europe is a consequence of disillusion with the European Union as well as historical legacies, says a prominent analyst. “These countries had… Read more »
Category: Authoritarianism
Russia’s ‘managed thaw’: events suggest Putin not all-powerful
This week, two political prosecutions in Russia were quashed — to much applause, notes Pavel Chikov (left), a leading human rights lawyer. But it’s too early to talk about positive… Read more »
China trying to provide ideological alternative to Western liberalism?
As if any reminder were needed, delegates to China’s ceremonial parliament were repeatedly told in no uncertain terms this week what job No. 1 is: “Follow the leadership of the… Read more »
Russia’s RT: Is it more K.G.B. than BBC?
…..The New York Times asks: RT is part of the reality of the 21st century, said Peter Pomerantsev, who wrote a book three years ago that described Russia’s use of… Read more »
Kazakhstan’s ‘authoritarian lite’ regime hints at cosmetic change
Kazakhstan’s leader, Nursultan Nazarbayev, is the country’s only president since independence — elected five times with 97.5 percent of the vote. Nazarbayev has created a kind of “authoritarian lite” system… Read more »
The third counter-wave to democracy and liberalism. What’s next?
If history shows that successive waves of democracy are followed by anti-democratic reaction, the current surge of authoritarian, illiberal or populist politics should suggest that we’re eventually due a democratic… Read more »
‘Constrainment’: A new Western strategy to counter Putin’s Russia?
A growing majority of French voters see Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Front as a threat to democracy, but a third approve of its ideas, a poll showed on Tuesday, Reuters… Read more »
Hungarian law targets foreign-backed NGOs
The Hungarian government is moving to limit the influence of nongovernmental organizations that promote democracy and the rule of law, Lili Bayer writes for POLITICO: This week, parliament is expected… Read more »
Advancing democracy at home and abroad
Canadians should be “prepared” for Russian attempts to destabilize the country’s political system says Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland, an outspoken critic of the Kremlin’s authoritarian kleptocracy. The proliferation of… Read more »
Political warfare the logical projection of Russia’s new ideology
Proponents of an accommodation with the Kremlin fail to appreciate the nature of the regime in Russia, says The Economist’s Edward Lucas. “The idea of a holy homeland besieged by… Read more »