by JUSTIN JOOST VAN BEURDEN | Mar 15, 2018 | 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. Poland, along with Hungary and other countries in the region, is...
by Carolyn Stephens | Mar 15, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles
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 judicial and electoral systems in their own favor. This legislation...
by Lindsey Powell | Mar 14, 2018 | University of Pennsylvania
On March 12th, Austrian citizens and political elites gathered at Heldenplatz, the public courtyard in front of Vienna’s Hofburg Palace. The date marks the 80th anniversary of Hitler’s “Anschluss”, or annexation, of Austria in 1938. On that date, Hitler...
by NARMEEN MUNDH | Mar 13, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles
The issue of democratic backsliding in certain EU countries has been the topic of discussion and increasing concern worldwide. Hungary tops this list due to the rapid introduction and implementation of seemingly autocratic practices in a country where democracy...
by HELOISE RACHEL CECILE THERESE HAKIMI-LE GRAND | Mar 13, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles
On April 23rd 2017, what many French people and analysts abroad feared happened: the far-right, with 21.3% of the votes, was a round close to the presidency. But why were people so scared of Marine Le Pen, leader of the Front National (FN), coming to power? Most of...
