Mexico

Mexico protests: Fears for democracy prompt mass demonstrations

— Many Mexicans fear that the democratic safeguards set up after decades of authoritarian rule are being undermined.

US Politics

Large numbers of Americans want a strong, rough, anti-democratic leader

— A large proportion of Americans appear to be increasingly drawn to strong, authoritarian leaders who would violate democratic principles – a warning sign that democracy is under serious threat.

Stats

Fragile Democracy

— The share of the world living in either a democracy has taken a steep dive recently. The current fragility of democracy is plain to see.

8 January Attack

Never take Democracy for granted

— The January 8 riot attack on Brazil’s National Congress shows the consequences of choosing corrupt, populist, and fearmongering leaders.

8 January Attack

Democracy under attack in Brazil: 5 questions about the storming of Congress and the role of the military

— The sacking of key democratic institutions in Brasilia has parallels with the January 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol but was different in one key way: the position of the military.

Analysis

Resignation honours — What are they, why are they so controversial and can the system ever be changed?

— The prospect of Boris Johnson and Liz Truss adding peers to the House of Lords has reopened a knotty debate that never quite gets resolved.

Analysis

Why some people think fascism is the greatest expression of democracy ever invented

— Some fascists claim that democracy and fascism have the same goal – to give effect to the will of the people. But who the people are is where the ideologies divide.

COMMENT

Is Liz Truss really a symbol of Western democratic resilience as China crowns Xi Jinping?

— No matter whether a system is democratic or undemocratic, a bad leader’s period in office could leave millions of broken lives in its wake.

Analysis

The fall of Boris Johnson: Any democracy should look to his case and ask if it is enabling machiavellian leaders.

— Boris Johnson is not the first world leader to prioritise his own ambitions over meaningful governance. But his fall is a good moment for reflection on how far a democracy is prepared to tolerate, and even reward Machiavellian tendencies.

COVID-19

Stronger democracies have seen fewer excess deaths during COVID.

— The way societies are governed seems to have influenced how they’ve fared in terms of excess deaths during the pandemic. For pandemic preparedness, the public must be able to trust authorities and institutions.

OPINION

Thoughts on a dreadful year.

— Some thoughts on US politics as we wind down 2021.

Analysis

Pathological power: The danger of governments led by narcissists and psychopaths.

— The mind is a powerful thing – it can generate both symptoms of illness and symptoms of healing. Here’s what this could tell us about consciousness.