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?
Africa’s democratic deficit
Political leaders fail to deliver in Africa
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
Laws are chipping away at democracy around the world
Trouble is brewing around the world, say experts
Money is breaking democracy in Nigeria
As long as money can buy votes, the future of democracy is uncertain
Rahul Gandhi vows to spend more on health. High time India does
Congress chief vows to push healthcare spend to 3% of GDP, increase staffing
Dissent and democracy
Forty years after the Emergency was declared, India must revisit its legacy of dissent
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
EXCLUSIVE: Eben Moglen says freedom depends on the Net
Beware of even democratic regimes which want to wiretap
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 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 …
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
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
Democracy is good for heart, increases life expectancy
A study of 170 countries between 1980 and 2016 brings out for the first time the impact of democratic systems on population health
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
Why bullshit hurts democracy more than lies
The bullshitter may do even more damage than the liar in politics
How accurate are exit polls? There's no easy answer
In the world's largest democracy, the science of poll forecasting is still struggling with the basics
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 farmers don't have electoral clout
Although farmers vote at least as much, if not more than industrial workers or urban middle classes, elections are not fought around farmers' issues
What ‘third-term fever’ tells us about the state of democracy in Africa
This year no fewer than 16 elections will take place in Africa, many of which involve removing presidential term limits. The motives are worth …
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