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Articles on Autocracy

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Xi Jinping shakes hands with Chinese construction workers at a Belt and Road Initiative site in Trinidad and Tobago in June 2023. Frederic Dubray/AFP via Getty Images

Growth of autocracies will expand Chinese global influence via Belt and Road Initiative as it enters second decade

More autocratic governments, growing urbanization and emerging technologies will bolster the spread of Chinese influence around the world, an expert on emerging economies explains.
A youth cries during the funeral procession of a child who was killed during protests against new President Dina Boluarte in Andahuaylas, Peru, on Dec. 12, 2022, after what some believe was a coup to illegally oust her predecessor. (AP Photo/Franklin Briceno)

Young people around the world can save democracy — but they need our help

If we don’t support youth’s struggle for democracy, there’s little chance of a peaceful, secure, sustainably developed and environmentally friendly future.
Sergi Reboredo/VW Pics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Democracy spreads in waves – but shared cultural history might matter more than geography

New research suggests countries with cosmopolitan values may be more likely to shift towards democracy, but democratic institutions can’t endure without sustained efforts to promote such values.
Ukrainian soldiers take positions in downtown Kyiv, Ukraine, on Feb. 25, 2022 after Russia pressed its invasion of Ukraine to the outskirts of the capital. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Would Vladimir Putin actually be able to rule Ukraine?

Even if Vladimir Putin wins in Ukraine, he won’t be able to govern Ukrainians as he pleases. That’s because power is perceived very differently by Russians and Ukrainians.
The Taliban retook control of Afghanistan in August 2021, without major opposition. Photo by Mohd Rasfan /AFP via Getty Image

Taliban 2.0 aren’t so different from the first regime, after all

Four months after the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, a clearer picture of their rule is emerging. Despite public assurances, the Taliban continue to violate human rights.
Police arrest a protester at a Moscow rally in support of Russian dissident Alexei Navalny, who fell ill while in prison and is now hospitalized. Alexander Demianchuk\TASS via Getty Images

For Vladimir Putin and other autocrats, ruthlessly repressing the opposition is often a winning way to stay in power

There’s not much the world can do to stop authoritarian rulers from persecuting their political opponents, as shown by the standoff over Russian dissident Alexei Navalny, who is ill and imprisoned.
Despite voter dissatisfaction with the Republican and Democratic parties, they are likely to persist. Shutterstock/Victor Moussa

The two-party system is here to stay

Despite the fact that only 38% of Americans say they think the Democratic and Republican parties are doing ‘an adequate job,’ they’re unlikely to disappear.

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