Politics
Democracy
In a context of populism, authoritarianism and a rising acceptance of conspiracy, our journalism dives into the state of global democracy.
From Brazil to Tunisia, we investigate the threats facing contemporary democracy including post-truth politics and managed ‘democracies.’ However, we also turn our attention to solutions, considering the potential of citizen’s assemblies and social movements to support democracies on the edge.
What another Modi victory could mean for Muslims in India
With the Indian national elections underway, Tarushi Aswani reports on the consequences of expanded Hindu nationalism.
Senegal chooses the ballot over the bullet
Obiora Ikoku on the latest elections that made Senegal a democratic outlier in West Africa’s expanding coup belt.
View from India: Politicians using women
Why are women voting for a party whose leaders have paid mere lip service to gender equality? Nilanjana Bhowmick offers her take.
The Russians that keep resisting
Vladimir Putin is almost certain to win this weekend’s elections, but critics are finding new ways to resist his rule. Alexandra Domenech reports.
How Ecuadorians saved Yasuní
Danny Chivers reports on how the people of Ecuador voted against the oil giants and for the Yasuní National Park.
Spies, damned spies
How far are states willing to go to spy on dissent? Bethany Rielly reports from Catalonia to find out.
Hall of Infamy: Kais Saied
An autocrat in institutional clothing, the Tunisian president has crushed the hopes of democrats in the birthplace of the Arab Spring.
Bolsonaro’s return to Brazil is mired in lawsuits
Leonardo Sakamoto on Jair Bolsonaro’s not-so-triumphant return, as he faces a slew of lawsuits over alleged election meddling in Brazil.
Futures: A world to win
We don’t just need solutions – we need the courage to imagine they will succeed. Conrad Landin makes the case for collective action to secure a just future.
Does Brazil support democracy?
Authoritarians have been embraced in a country where public opinion is in favour of democracy. Leonardo Sakamoto argues for politics to be revitalized.
The politics of futility
Our deep desire for change is continually thwarted by the limiting political choices on offer. Political theorist and philosopher Neil Vallely digs into the roots of apathy and polarization.
Antoinette Nikolova: ‘It is a scary time for us journalists.’
The Bulgarian journalist is director of the Balkan Free Media Initiative, created in April 2021 to monitor and campaign for the protection of media freedoms in southeastern Europe. She speaks to Jan Westad about the growing political distortion of the media and the influence of authoritarianism in the Balkans.
Dark money
It twists and corrupts democracy in hidden ways. Peter Geoghegan explores the murky world of think tanks and billionaire backers.
Defibrillating democracy
A kickstart for a habitable future. Claire Mellier and Rich Wilson make the case for citizens’ assemblies.
Democracy on the edge
Unloved and under threat from several sides, democracy seems to be in peril. Should it be saved – or helped to change? Vanessa Baird investigates.
Kick ‘em all out! Citizens’ Assemblies and the next democratic revolution
Citizens’ Assemblies are being promoted as the preferred democratic tool of a new generation of activists, Brett Hennig writes.
Worldbeater: Isaias Afwerki
We put the track record of Isaias Afwerki, President of Eritrea – and a liberation fighter turned ruthless dictator – under the spotlight.
Cambodia’s ‘one party state’ prepares for polls
Prime Minister Hun Sen has dissolved newspapers and the opposition. Becky and Simon Kenton-Lake report.
The selfish giants
Laura Basu on how media ownership is getting more concentrated – and what to do about it.
Goodbye to the monarchy?
What do republican activists make of this royal wedding? Darren Loucaides finds out.
The state vs people power in Catalonia
How the Committees for the Defence of the Republic are fighting for democracy in Catalonia. Luke Stobart writes.
Adventures in democracy
A global social movement is rising. It is open, participatory and public, writes Jamie Kelsey-Fry.
Is Hungary mimicking Putin’s authoritarianism?
Has Putin exported ‘managed democracy’ to Hungary? Madeline Roache examines Orbán’s regime.
Evangelical uprising: a new political opposition in Costa Rica
Right-wing Fabricio Alvarado may have lost, but his party’s rise remains worrying, writes Gustavo Fuchs.
The scandal that was Zuma’s downfall
How corruption in South Africa continues to cost taxpayers billions of rand, by Neil Thompson.
Antonythasan Jesuthasan: from Tamil Tiger to leading man
Cindy Sasha interviews former Tamil Tiger-turned-actor, Antonythasan Jesuthasan.
The revolution will not be iPhoned
Is digital technology leading us astray, asks Rev Billy.
Brazil’s rich weaponize law to stop Lula campaign
‘Impossible’ for Lula to get fair trial, say lawyers. Vanessa Baird reports.
Fiji: really a tropical island paradise?
Inclusive rhetoric by Fiji’s PM is belied by police repression, reports Wame Valentine.
Chilean politics on a knife edge
Does this presidential run-off mark a new dawn for Chile? Luis Hernán Vargas Faulbaum asks.
You will agree: escalating repression
Mandeep Tiwana on how repression becomes the rule.
Whose streets? The clampdown on popular rights
Across the world political space is shrinking. Richard Swift explains how and why.
How Turkey’s citizens lost their rights
The low-down from Turkish writer and analyst Hakki Mahfuz on the country’s crackdown.
İştar Gözaydın: from lectern to prison
Academic İştar Gözaydın’s first-hand experiences of the clampdown in Turkey.
Zimbabwe’s coup that isn’t a coup
With tanks on the streets and rumours in newspapers, Nhau Mangirazi reports from Zimbabwe.
After re-run, Kenyan opposition vows resistance
Wangui Kimari reports on the twists and turns of this year’s election season.