by Sam Wieske | Mar 13, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles
A few decades ago, Turkey was the poster-boy of a democracy in the Islamic world. Fast forward to present day and Turkey is far from being a paragon of democracy, in light of the recent coup and referendum. Most scholars define Turkey’s current trend as “democratic...
by IPPEI KATO | Mar 12, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles
Japan, one of the most peaceful and safest country that has never experienced any configuration after WWⅡ, is facing undemocratic crisis that can change its long-standing neutral position and find its way to garrison state. Japan is one of the rare countries that have...
by LASINI THARINDI PIYADIGAMA | Mar 12, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles
Democratic backsliding is the process of democratic countries moving away from the fundamental ideas of democracy, like free and fair elections, strong rule of law and freedom of speech. This reversal of democracy is a phenomenon that many thought would not take place...
by MARGARET E BORSE | Mar 11, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles
Since Viktor Orban became Prime Minister of Hungary in 2010, democracy in Hungary has clearly been eroding. In the sense that is discussed in “Democracy’s Gatekeepers” by Levitsky and Ziblatt, Viktor Orban displays multiple characteristics are used...
by Jackson Schumacher | Mar 10, 2018 | Ohio State University
I arrived at the city council chambers as the zoning and planning meeting was getting to head. Spirited debates over the choice to re-zone area A09-17-42 from low density residential to low density commercial erupted through the room. Citizens electrified the room...