Despite the results of a referendum held in 2016, Bolivian President Evo Morales has decided to try and run for a fourth term in 2019. As of December 2017, the highest court in Bolivia has given him …
The Dynamics of the New Haven Board of Alders, by Valentina Wakeman @ Yale University
On February 20th, I attended the New Haven Board of Alders meeting, which meets publicly every month. New Haven has a Board of 30 Alders, each one representing a specific section of the city. …
The Unraveling of the Polish Courts, Another Potential Step Towards Democratic Backsliding by Benjamin Lee @ University of California, Los Angeles
On January 15, 2018, Dariusz Zawistowski, the president of Poland's National Council of the Judiciary (KRS), the body in charge of maintaining the impartiality of Polish courts, resigned from his …
Kenya Civil and Political Liberties Jeopardized?
Recent events in Kenya have prompted the country to peril in chaos. News of a supposed unfair election has the country on the brink of ruins after the runner-up Raila Odinga cries of an unfair loss …
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Poland: Eastern Europe’s Trendsetter? by Justin Van Beurden @ University of California, Los Angeles
Once viewed as a source of inspiration for countries transitioning to democracy, Poland now appears as if it is representative of another political trend in Eastern Europe: democratic backsliding. …
One Man’s Dominion in Moldova by Dan Zhukov @ University of California, Los Angeles
On July 20th, 2017, the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova voted to adopt a new mixed electoral system that would replace the old proportional one. According to the proposal, voted for by 74 …
“EU”-rosion in Poland by Emmanuel Iheke, Jr. @ University of California, Los Angeles
As we speak, Poland continues to take more and more steps away from the commonly held European Union tradition of democracy. This process - the erosion of democratic values and transition towards an …
Poland’s Populist Party Changing the Court System: a threat to democracy? by Carolyn Stephens @ UCLA
In 2016, the populist Law and Justice party (PiS) of Poland gained a majority in the lower house of parliament without a coalition. The party consequently used their legislative power to adjust the …