How populism went mainstream
There is a specter haunting not just Europe, but the whole globe, quaking the boots of established political parties, legacy media outlets, and transnational institutions of government and civil society…. Read more »
Taiwan’s Destiny: Election at ‘center of a clash between two forces’
Taiwan’s top diplomat said that his government stands with Hong Kong citizens pushing for “freedom and democracy,” and would help those displaced from the semi-autonomous Chinese city if Beijing intervenes… Read more »
Georgia’s status as post-Soviet democratic leader challenged
Georgia’s status as a post-Soviet democratic leader is under challenge, according to analysts Denis Corboy, William Courtney, Kenneth Yalowitz. A flawed presidential election, use of force against protesters, and political manipulations… Read more »
People Power Under Attack: World becoming more oppressive, report says
Only 3% of the world’s population now live in countries where their fundamental rights are protected and respected, according to the latest CIVICUS Monitor, which rates and tracks respect for… Read more »
International Human Rights Day, 2019 — a wake-up and a warning
European Union Foreign Ministers have reportedly used the occasion of International Human Rights Day to approve an EU Magnitsky Act after Hungary dropped its objections. The EU has been considering… Read more »
The keys to advancing good governance? Local dynamics, domestic actors
International Anti-Corruption Day may be over, but the scourge of political graft and demands for good governance remain, as the newly-released tranche of Afghanistan papers confirms. The U.S. Treasury… Read more »
‘Nation-building on superstructure of kleptocracy’: Newly released documents detail Afghanistan failure
Lawmakers, veterans and experts have expressed shock and resignation after a Washington Post report Monday unveiled 18 years of distortion by U.S. officials over the prosecution of the war in Afghanistan…. Read more »
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 »
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 »