Category: National Endowment for Democracy

Populism and elitism’s ‘corrosive effect on democratic life’

     

In 1911, Robert Michels (1876-1936), an Italian political sociologist, published “Political Parties: A Sociological Study of the Oligarchical Tendencies of Modern Democracy,” postulating the “iron law of oligarchy.” Michels, who… Read more »

Persuade or Perish: ‘Pandemic Propaganda and the Global Democracy Crisis’

     

Whether stated explicitly or implied, the theme that binds much of the pandemic malign influence currently targeting western nations is that democracy, both as a system of government and a set… Read more »

Great Power Competition: Will pandemic give democracies advantage?

     

Democracy was in retreat, and autocrats were on the march, before the coronavirus appeared, notes analyst Ruchir Sharma. To contain it, leaders of all political styles have assumed previously unthinkable… Read more »

China faces backlash as pandemic sets stage for ideological contest

     

China deliberately suppressed or destroyed evidence of the coronavirus outbreak in an “assault on international transparency’’ that cost tens of thousands of lives, according to a dossier prepared by concerned… Read more »

‘Existential crisis’? Russia’s coronavirus paradox

     

Vladimir Putin’s handling of the coronavirus crisis has produced a paradox: instead of using the pandemic to further strengthen his personalized power, Russia’s president has refused to take tough measures,… Read more »