Mass protests protect Hong Kong’s legal autonomy from China – for now

If the "One country, two systems" falls, what remains of Hong Kong’s democracy will go down with it

Invisible Trillions review: global capitalism operates beyond the rule of law and threatens democracy

In Raymond W Baker’s view, democracy is self-correcting, but capitalism is not. His main message is: reform capitalism or forfeit democracy

The African Union at 20: some reason to cheer, but lots of work ahead

There is some reason to cheer as the continental body celebrates its 20th anniversary on 9 July. Yet a lot remains to be achieved.

Abiy put Ethiopia on road to democracy, but major obstacles still stand in the way

Abiy’s major achievement was dismantling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front. But this was not without its challenges 

Why history will judge Burundi’s Pierre Nkurunziza harshly

Pierre Nkurunziza ruled with an iron fist, making few compromises: his insistence in 2015 on changing the constitution to enable him to have …

Chakwera has his work cut out restoring democratic rule that delivers for Malawians

Chakwera will need to build consensus to ensure that the new electoral laws don’t worsen tensions in the country

Why tyranny could be the inevitable outcome of democracy

The elected political leadership in many countries currently has vindicated Greek philosopher Plato's observation

The world is pro-protests, now

While economic crisis often push people to demonstrations, there is an increasing level of dissatisfaction with democracy

Deliberate omission: Certain provisions in Digital Personal Data Protection Act regression for democracy

By providing wide discretionary powers to the bureaucracy, the new data protection law severely restricts the scope of the Right to Information …

US is becoming a ‘developing country’ on global rankings that measure democracy, inequality

Racism, devotion to ‘American exceptionalism’ behind the decline; US slips to 41st position on UN’s development index 

Twenty20: Can Kerala’s experiment in corporate-led panchayats be trusted

Twenty20, which established a corporate panchayat in Kerala in 2015, has expanded its reach during the local body polls this year. How …

UN@75 vs multilateralism & democracy

The United Nations was set up after World War II, and today, we are at the beginning of a new one — only this time,…

Latest parliamentary win by Putin’s United Russia has been years in the manufacturing

The election coincides with a period of economic stagnation, high household inflation, the ongoing coronavirus crisis and environmental disasters

Madagascar’s 2023 presidential election is crucial for the island’s future, but it’s off to a rocky start

A critical question is whether this election will be considered “free and fair” and the results accepted by all

Why Bolsonaro failed to overthrow democracy – and why a threat remains

Although Bolsonaro is currently ineligible to stand for office, a political comeback is not unimaginable should democratic institutions fail to …

New global order (or disorder)

Fixing weaknesses in democracy is not about less, but more democracy

A one-sided election risks Bangladesh’s future

With the distinction between the state, government and party obliterated, Bangladesh is heading towards a personalised autocracy  

Money is breaking democracy in Nigeria

As long as money can buy votes, the future of democracy is uncertain  

More than 4 billion people are eligible to vote in an election in 2024. Is this democracy’s biggest test?

Even amid spreading illiberalism and disillusionment about the benefits of a democratic system, there is reason for cautious optimism 

Kenya election 2022: The candidates, issues and role of money in a fierce contest

Raila Odinga and William Ruto are the leading candidates in the polls 

Why do autocrats insist on sham elections?

As Vladimir Putin wins yet another term in the Kremlin, the question remains what is the point in having an election at all?  

Digital democracies and the challenges of Anthropocene

Only sustained human intervention can effectively mitigate challenges to daily human life

The crisis of India’s parliamentary democracy

Parliament’s hollowing out can only be checked, and reversed, by a successful electoral challenge to the Modi personality cult