An all too familiar threat to democracy in the Philippines (Not so) Democratic History Democracy in the Philippines was nothing more than an ideal for the vast majority of the country’s history. …
Ethiopia’s Ethnic Conflict Leads to Harsh Decrease in Rights
Since November of 2020, Ethiopia has been consumed by the ongoing conflict between the national government and rebels from the northernmost part of the country. This conflict however, has had a wide …
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Cuban Citizens Call to Action in Summer 2021
July 2021 brought a period of unrest in Cuba, the likes of which had not been seen since the 1959 revolution with Fidel Castro. On July 11, 2021 people came to the streets to protest against …
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Invasion to Failed State: Iraq’s Democratic Mirage
On March 20th, 2003, President George W. Bush announced that United States forces would begin military exercises within Iraq. Among the coalition partners, it was clear the United States and NATO …
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Qatar’s New Legislature Is No Real Indication of Democratization
In October of last year, 2021, general elections for a national legislative body were held in Qatar for the first time. The legislature (romanized from Arabic as Majlis as-Shura) is called the Shura …
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Technocracy, Autocracy, and Democracy in Singapore
In December 2021, the United States held an international Summit For Democracy, inviting 100 nations to combat democratic backsliding. The invite list was full of liberal democracies but included some …
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Stealth Authoritarianism: A Threat to Democracy in Paraguay
Following a 35-year military dictatorship by Alfredo Stroessner that ended in 1989, Paraguay took steps toward democratization including the adoption of a constitution in 1992. In 1993, Colorado Party …
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“Protection Bill” Passes Committee: What are its Implications in the Fight for Democracy in Iran?
Recent scholarship on authoritarianism, democratic backsliding and state censorship has shifted its focus. Research on explicit abuses of power has given way towards the implicit means by which nation …