Democracy Impacts

Wilson and Charlton: COVID-19 Pandemic Threatens EU Unity

April 01, 2020

Associated Press reporters Joseph Wilson and Angela Charlton explain how the COVID-19 pandemic could renew the divisive feelings between northern and southern EU member states that resulted from the 2008 recession and tough financial measures imposed as a condition to the provision of relief.
Yasko: Inclusion of "Authorized Representatives" from Russia-Occupied Eastern Ukraine Raises Legitimation Concerns

March 25, 2020

Writing in The Atlantic, Lisa Yasko explains why western countries should be concerned about the inclusion of "authorized representatives" from Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine as signatories to proposals accepted by Ukraine officials during a recent meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group, a platform for talks toward ending the conflict in eastern Ukraine that features representatives from Ukraine, Russia, and the OSCE.
Top Russian Court Signs Off on Likely Extension of Putin Term

March 18, 2020

The Constitutional Court of Russia has approved a legislative proposal that will enable President Vladimir Putin to seek office beyond the presently prescribed term limits, perhaps until 2036.
Standish: Putin Could Rule Until 2036

March 11, 2020

Writing in Foreign Policy, Reid Standish explains how a series of choreographed moves have set the stage for Vladimir Putin to potentially rule until at least 2036.
Politico: Human Rights and Greta Thunberg on Hungarian State Media Watch List

March 04, 2020

According to internal emails obtained by Politico, Hungarian state media authorities told staff they need permission to report on Greta Thunberg and EU politics, and banned coverage of reports from leading human rights organizations.
Kurtz: Arizona House Passes Campus Intellectual Diversity Bill

March 04, 2020

Writing in the National Review’s The Corner, Stanley Kurtz reports that the Arizona House is the first legislative body in the United States to pass a campus intellectual diversity bill, which instructs public universities in Arizona to stage debates, panel discussions, and individual lectures that explore America’s biggest public-policy controversies from divergent and opposing perspectives.
Taylor: Disconnect Between High-Tech Information Age-Friendly Voters and Ponderous Democratic Institutions Threaten Democracy

March 02, 2020

In the opinion of Politico's Paul Taylor, the instant gratification that connected consumers take for granted and the ponderous pace of local, national and European governance is frustrating younger generations of voters.
Reccia: Russia and Ukraine: Nothing Good Lies Ahead?

February 26, 2020

Writing in Global Risk Insights, Frederica Reccia explains the political landscape Ukraine and Russia leaders face in relation to resolution of their protracted conflict in Eastern Ukraine.
Pompeo and Foreign Partners Condemn Russian Cyberattack on Republic of Georgia

February 25, 2020

According to The Hill, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, along with top foreign officials from almost a dozen other nations, condemned a major Russian cyberattack on the country of Georgia that significantly disrupted operations across government and media organizations.
Politico: German Hate Speech Crackdown Sparks Censorship Fears

February 25, 2020

According to Politico, As Germany cracks down on hate speech online amid a rise in right-wing extremism, critics warn that civil liberties will end up as collateral damage.