How We Restore Turkey’s Democracy
President Erdoğan’s rule has grown more repressive as he realizes he has no democratic path to power. But we are united in our resolve and determined to make Turkey a democratic republic worthy of its people.
How We Restore Turkey’s Democracy
Why the Iranian Regime Owns the Streets
The progovernment rallies that crowd Iran’s streets are no accident. They are a critical and underappreciated pillar of the regime’s strength, and they are shaping Iran’s response to the war.
What Bolivia Teaches Us About Defeating Authoritarians
In the lead up to elections, the country’s polarization deepened. But Bolivians showed how a massive civil society movement can organize to restore democracy. It’s a blueprint for nonviolent activists everywhere.
How Viktor Orbán Loses
Opposition leader Péter Magyar overcame the rigged system that Orbán created and used it against him. The old playbook of disinformation and dirty tricks was no match for a disciplined campaign that gave Hungarians their voice.
How to Defeat the Authoritarian Message
If democracy’s defenders want to push back against authoritarianism, they must learn to tap into patriotic language and a sense of national identity. Such emotional appeals shouldn’t be left to autocrats and demagogues.
How Péter Magyar Defeated Viktor Orbán
The opposition party leader pulled off the most stunning election upset in modern Hungarian history. Magyar did it by taking the fight to the countryside and winning over Orbán voters who were tired of corruption and poor results.
The War with Iran Made the IRGC Stronger
If one of the goals of the war was to decimate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, it has had the opposite effect. The IRGC will come out of the conflict stronger and more embedded in Iranian politics.
The Day After Hungary’s Pivotal Election
As Hungary approaches a crucial election, Viktor Orbán finds himself vulnerable. These are the three most likely post-election scenarios and how civil society must respond.
Why Viktor Orbán Is in Trouble
A series of unforced errors, poor results, and a worthy opponent are part of the explanation. But there are wider lessons that may explain how Orbán and other illiberal leaders can be defeated.
The April Issue Is Here
Read why AI isn’t the autocrat’s silver bullet, how authoritarian middle powers are subverting democracy, why the global democratic recession should have come as no surprise, what we misunderstand about populism and how it affects liberal democracy, and much more.
Taiwan Needs More Than Democracy to Defend Itself
Taiwan held its first direct presidential election thirty years ago. Today it faces relentless threats from the Chinese Communist Party. Its best defense is self-deterrence.
The Election Fraud Epidemic
Nowadays some politicians cry “fraud” even before the election. Too often the accusation has nothing to do with electoral manipulation. It has become a weapon to attack institutions, justify antidemocratic measures, and reject election results.
Trust, Blood, and Power in Putin’s Russia
Who does Putin trust? Russia is governed by an array of “ruling dynasties,” where kinship and personal ties matter over all else. Where corruption goes unchecked, nepotism rules.
Africa’s Critical-Mineral Boom Needs Democratic Guardrails
In Africa, the race for critical minerals isn’t just about supply chains and industrial strategy. It underscores the need to build democratic institutions to govern the new mineral rush while protecting citizens’ rights.
Why Xi Jinping Is Purging China’s Top Leaders
Xi’s ongoing purge of China’s leaders — including his political allies — marks a return to Mao-style court politics. He is cementing his absolute control — and laying the groundwork for a major succession crisis.
Why African Publics Turn to Military Coups
Africans don’t want military rule. They want generals to rid them of bad leaders, and then return to the barracks. But once in power, military leaders often have other ideas.
Will Germany’s Firewall Fall?
In the first contests of Germany’s “super election year,” the radical-right AfD performed well far from its strongholds. The country may soon decide it’s time to cooperate with the party rather than try to contain it.
Inside Russia’s Psychological War on European Democracy
Russia’s influence operations are more concerned with reshaping voters’ fears and anxieties than convincing them of any specific falsehood. To survive, democratic values need to be defended and mobilized.
Safeguarding Democracy for the AI Era
Thousands of workers lost their jobs last week — laid off by CEOs anticipating sweeping changes to their businesses made possible by the latest advances in artificial intelligence.
Iran’s Democratic Hopes Amid the Smoke of War
If the war ends with the dismantling of the regime’s repressive apparatus, the Iranian people will have a rare, if fraught, opportunity. The totalitarian mindset often survives totalitarian regimes.