The State of the Union address, a traditional exercise for US presidents was marked this year by a great divergence on tone and words, showing the clear dictatorial style of the American leader.
Jan Leighley, American University School of Public Affairs dan Jennifer Oser, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Citizen activists can influence the policy positions of their elected representatives. Their activism might well counter the advantages of the wealthy in America.
Camille Bedock, Université de Bordeaux; James K. Wong, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology; Patricia Roberts-Miller, The University of Texas at Austin; Sabeel Rahman, Brooklyn Law School; Sor-hoon Tan, National University of Singapore, dan Xavier Marquez, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
Uncertainty is built into democracy, but we are seeing more talk of crisis and more attempts at redefinition. So where does this leave citizens who want to have a meaningful say in how they live?
Democracy takes many forms, some of them democracy in name only. Confusion and misappropriation complicate the public struggle for the democracy to come, but this challenge is always unending.
Do businesses have to act like businesses? Or could we pay slightly more for goods, like coffee, and recognize that stability for working people is essential to a robust economy.
The Venezuelan government has just announced that it will hold a presidential election by the end of April. Despite pervasive hunger and discontent, democracy still doesn’t stand a chance.
Judges in North Carolina just threw out the state’s congressional district map. The decision could have major implications for the future of partisan gerrymandering across the US.
Africa is still witnessing an increase in social turbulence, unrest and protest. Only rapid, inclusive economic growth combined with good governance can make the continent less volatile.
The U.S. government continues to wage a fight against scientific information. Without it, the public can do little to address environmental and economic inequality.
Managing Director of the McCourtney Institute of Democracy, Associate Research Professor, Political Science, Co-host of Democracy Works Podcast, Penn State