Category: Civil Society

A new totalitarian syndrome? Putin’s goal is to weaken Western democracy

     

Moscow has perpetrated cyberwarfare, hacking, fake news and political interference for years, notes Leon Aron, director of Russian studies at the American Enterprise Institute. Judging by all this—and especially by… Read more »

Poland ‘still a democracy’ – but illiberal?

     

Polish President Andrzej Duda, who fell out with the ruling party last month over judicial reform, risked escalating tension by blocking army appointments proposed by the NATO member’s government, Bloomberg… Read more »

‘Multiple paths’ out of democratic regression

     

With many democracies sliding further and further toward authoritarianism, NPR’s Ari Shapiro talks with Larry Diamond of Stanford University about the global democratic recession. “The whole spectrum of regimes in… Read more »

Protect civil society to promote stability in Egypt

     

As long as Egypt’s government continues to suppress peaceful dissent and stifle pluralism, it is part of the problem of growing instability, not part of the solution, says a new… Read more »

‘Strongman trades trump democratic deficits’: why are illiberal democrats popular?

     

Poland’s tightening grip on its judiciary has prompted nationwide protests and threats of European sanctions, but its asset prices and currency have soared this year as they have in plenty… Read more »

Celebrated Syrian democracy activist executed as support program ends

     

The Syrian government executed well-known internet activist Bassel Khartabil (left) in 2015, Khartabil’s wife and Amnesty International said on Tuesday, CNN reports. His death is a reminder of the cruel… Read more »

Venezuelan opposition arrests show Maduro moving to consolidate power

     

Two prominent Venezuelan opposition leaders were taken from their homes in raids by intelligence services in the early hours of Tuesday, in what analysts say signals a lurch toward a… Read more »