What Burkina Faso’s Tragic History Teaches Us
Ten years after the revolution, the lessons for protecting a budding democracy and guarding against violent extremism are clear.
JoD Online
The Elections That Mattered Most in 2024
The “year of elections” is entering its final stretch, and the contests of 2024 have run the gamut. We saw landslides, charades, and — in democratic and authoritarian settings alike — a fair number of surprises. What were the most significant elections of the year so far?
South Africa’s Watershed Election
The ANC lost its majority for the first time, but populist forces were held at bay.
Maduro Rules Through Repression
The strongman lost in a landslide, and the Venezuelan people are paying the price.
France Rallies to Resuscitate the Republic
The French president made a big bet, and the far right lost.
Democracy Wins in Senegal
The president wanted to remain in power, but the people’s demands prevailed in the end.
The EU Elections Teach a Powerful Lesson
If mainstream parties don’t listen to voters, extremists will be rewarded at the ballot box.
India Remains More Democratic Than Not
For all the warning signs, India held the line after a decade of backsliding.
Final Day to Read the October Issue for Free
The latest issue of the Journal of Democracy covers important and alarming global trends, including authoritarian aggression, political violence, rising nationalism, and the far right’s resurgence. Don’t miss your chance to read it for free!
Why Dictators Are Making a Comeback
Authoritarians are evolving — becoming more unconstrained and repressive at home, and more destructive on the global stage. The following essays unpack the authoritarians’ toolkit, revealing their strategies for taking power and upending the liberal world order.
Who Is the Real Javier Milei?
He is rude, foul-mouthed, and one of the most popular politicians in the world. Like it or not, Argentina’s chainsaw-wielding president is the new face of populism.
10 Days Left to Read the October Issue for Free
Authoritarian aggression, democratic recession, political violence, nationalism, and far-right resurgence. The latest issue of the Journal of Democracy offers incisive analysis and cogent solutions to these troubling trends across the globe.
The Future of Multiracial Democracy
Immigration to the West has been soaring for a decade, as rising numbers of people flee conflict, hunger, and poverty. In the new issue of the Journal of Democracy, four leading thinkers explore the future of multiracial democracy and show how democracies must adapt if they are to succeed.
Election Results—October 2024
Reports on elections in Austria, the Czech Republic, and Tunisia.
How to Defend the Vote from Authoritarians
Georgia’s opposition is facing a pivotal election. But it isn’t enough to win: They need to be prepared to move quickly, mobilize the public, and force the regime to concede.
Africa’s Leaders for Life
The continent’s aspiring dictators are attacking term limits with a vengeance, finding new ways to avoid handing over power. But citizens are overwhelmingly against it — and can help keep their leaders in check.
Latin America’s Crime Crisis
Organized criminal groups in Latin America have money, firepower, and a stranglehold on political life — making them incredibly difficult to defeat. How can countries in the region curb the violence and revive democracy?
Tunisia’s Insecure Strongman
Kais Saied is claiming a landslide election win. The truth is he was never willing to face a real competition. Just how insecure he feels will likely determine how much more repressive he will become.
Georgia’s Make-or-Break Election
Later this month the country will be holding an absolutely pivotal election. The stakes? Whether Georgia will remain anchored to the West or become Vladimir Putin’s newest satellite state.
Three Must Reads from the October Issue!
How can liberal democrats take advantage of nationalism’s enduring appeal? How can Western democracies reduce rising political violence? And how can they protect freedom of expression while also preventing the harms such freedom might cause? The following essays from our new issue provide key answers to these important questions.