For many Mexicans, this government spying scandal feels eerily familiar
This is not the first time Mexico's government has been accused of spying on and harassing citizens whose activities it finds inconvenient.
Academic rigour, journalistic flair
Articles on Democracy
Displaying 1 - 20 of 415 articles
Political irrationality is ruining South Africa, but can still be stopped
Democracy and good governance require politicians to engage in reasoned debate, informed decision making and measured judgements. This presupposes rationality. Is this always true?
100 years ago African-Americans marched down 5th Avenue to declare that black lives matter
Thousands marched in silence against racial violence after a riot left hundreds of blacks dead and thousands homeless. The demands of black people in 2017 remain the same as they did in 1917.
Hong Kong’s democratic struggle and the rise of Chinese authoritarianism
Hong Kong’s autonomy and democratic political system are under threat, and pro-democracy advocates are once again ready to act.
Brazil and Venezuela’s political crises are more alike than they seem
The spectacle of two countries confronting systemic corruption and bad government says a lot about the state of Latin American democracy.
Zambians firmly defend democracy. But will they stand up against Lungu?
Zambia has gone from a country where people engaged freely in open political debate to one where most people now look over their shoulders to see who’s listening.
We live in a global ‘age of rage’ – and it’s entering a new phase
After a high point in 2011, it looked like a global wave of protest had crested. But another one is surging.
Mongolia: An unexpected bastion of democracy thanks to its youth
While democracy is struggling globally and especially in Asia, Mongolians continue to vote and engage.
To defeat tyranny today, look to the past
Amid the rising forces of populism and nationalism, it's easy to fear a new age of tyranny. But history proves tyrants are often no match against democracy and its defenders.
Book review: The Death of Expertise
Tom Nichols' book The Death of Expertise examines why the relationship between experts and citizens in a democracy is collapsing, and what can be done about it.
Is Indonesia’s ‘pious democracy’ safe from Islamic extremism?
An expert on Islam and democracy examines the threat to the world's largest Muslim majority country.
The Venezuelan government’s newest opponent is a state-funded orchestra
Musicians who learned how to play through a state-funded program called El Sistema are taking their instruments to the streets to protest the government.
Why South Africa’s public protector has overstepped her mandate
The prevailing mandate of the South African Reserve Bank is informed by sound economics and the need to protect the institution from the whims of politicians.
Australians are increasingly non-partisan: Morrison
Scott Morrison's comments reflect the concern in the government at the difficulty it is finding in cutting through to the electorate.
Politics podcast: Gladys Berejiklian on the need to reform federal-state partnerships
Politics podcast: Gladys Berejiklian on the need to reform federal-state partnerships.
With her government having just handed down a budget with an enviable surplus, Gladys Berejiklian says the Gonski legislation will leave NSW better off 'in terms of dollars'.
South Africa’s central bank row points to dangerous levels of intolerance
A financial system that is sure to collapse if the central bank cares about people’s well-being goes against democratic principle.
The threat to South Africa’s democracy runs deeper than state capture
South Africa's democracy is in trouble. But the challenge is less about who should control state institutions, and more about how they can be refashioned to deliver to the poor.
Is Trump’s definition of ‘the rule of law’ the same as the US Constitution’s?
The rule of law can take on different meanings depending whom you ask and where you are – but in the US it pretty much means one thing.
South Africa will need a government of national healing after Zuma leaves
South Africa needs to start thinking about life after President Jacob Zuma. Given the damage that he's done, serious thought should be given to forming a government of national unity.
Surge in young voters is the first sign of a return to proud working-class politics
Younger voters have been patronised and overlooked for too long – and when politics is meaningful for them, they take part with gusto.
Top contributors
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Professor of Politics, University of Sydney
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Assistant Professor in Politics, University of Canberra
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Associate Professor of Politics, Australian Catholic University
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Assistant researcher, University of Sydney
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Research Fellow, Sydney Democracy Network, University of Sydney
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Professor of International Politics, University of Western Australia
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Professor of Governance and Director of the Institute for Governance and Policy Analysis and NATSEM, University of Canberra
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Professor of World Politics, SOAS, University of London
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Emeritus Professor, School of Politics and International Relations, Australian National University
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Adjunct Professor, University of Sydney
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Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra
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ARC Laureate Fellow, Professor of Government and International Relations at the University of Sydney and McGuire Lecturer in Comparative Politics, Harvard University
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Lecturer, Public Policy and Politics, University of Melbourne
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Honorary Senior Lecturer, Institute of Local Government Studies, University of Birmingham
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Director of Postgraduate Studies, Human Rights Centre, University of Essex
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