In the modern Western World, our model of democracy is highly valued and defended. This system of government famously owes a great debt to the Ancient Greek city of Athens. Yet ancient Athens was originally only one among a thousand autonomous city states, each with their own form of government. …
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Moving to a new country is never easy, especially when you are confronted with new things. The aspect of Switzerland that surprised me the most was its system of Direct Democracy. What is known as “direct” democracy is a legal system that enables all Swiss citizens over the age of…
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Since the 1970s, the people of Iran have suffered under non-reasonable dictatorship rules to which children and families to authorities are exempt. Especially restricted are the women who are not to show their hair in public. Iranian women are now leading the uprising which is spreading across the country’s 40…
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On September 16, 2022, 22-year old Jina Mahsa Amini, was killed for not properly wearing a headcovering. Following her death, protesters began chanting “women, life, freedom,” and “death to the dictator” referring to Khamenei, the current Supreme Leader. Internet access for the Iranian people including WhatsApp, Instagram, and mobile Internet…
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It is no secret that populist radical right parties have always held a welcoming stance towards Russia. While some radical right parties have taken a more critical stance towards Russia since the invasion of Ukraine, some are still reluctant to take a harsh stance.…
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In the long term, climate change is an existential problem for our species. In the short term, it is an existential threat to democracy. No government has a plan that is compatible with the goal everyone has agreed on, which is to limit the increase in the average global temperature…
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As the world grows digital, media landscapes are drastically changing. With digitalization and the transformation of media ecosystems came great hopes that social networks would foster meaningful political participation, enlarging the public sphere, and bringing democratic values forward. Yet, social platforms, while encouraging the expression of oppositional voices, have also…
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Since 2015, PiS has cracked down on the independence of various media outlets and Polish courts by appointing its political allies in leading positions. Starting with the media – for several years, the PiS-led government has consolidated its control over public broadcasting by installing its political allies in the National…
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As we walk through the pillar vault of the democratic world, the capitals still shine, representing the achievements of the long political process of democratisation. However, achievements in a more turbulent world are under threat.…
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Imagine a world where free speech, free choice, and free thoughts are a thing of the past, something merely forgotten by the citizens, yet still felt in their core to be missing. It might seem like the ultimate gloom, a distant dystopia based on contrivances produced by a restless mind…
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