Nic Cheeseman, University of Birmingham et Brian Klaas, London School of Economics and Political Science
Elections are easy to rig, and they give authoritarian leaders a veneer of legitimacy they badly need.
A lack of transparency by Facebook Canada officials about how the Facebook News Feed works means upcoming elections in Canada could be influenced by fake news.
((AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
What kind of information do Canadian voters get through Facebook? It’s time for the social media giant to let researchers see exactly what it sends its 23 million users in Canada.
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has built a new image to stay relevant for younger voters for the 2019 election.
Eka Nickmatulhuda/AAP
A social media post on President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo wearing denim jackets and sneakers on a motorbike has gone viral. What is behind Jokowi’s latest stint on social media?
A woman enters Maple High School in Vaughan, Ont., to cast her vote in the Canadian federal election in October 2015. Canada has a lot to learn from Europe in preventing the digital manipulation of voters.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter Power
The search for a direct causal connection from public opinion to specific policies, including gun control, may be like hunting for the holy grail. Many factors influence how legislation gets passed.
Zimbabwe’s youth are most affected by democratic processes, but they appear to be the least interested.
Reuters//Siphiwe Sibeko
In a survey of 80 teens and college-aged Americans, most said they’d experienced physical or emotional distress before and after the 2016 presidential election.
Young people walk in front of a billboard in one of Jakarta’s malls.
Reuters/Beawiharta
Jan Leighley, American University School of Public Affairs et 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.
Tasmania’s ageing population matters because as people get older they become more reliant on the services provided by governments (for example pensions, health and aged care).
Dave Hunt/AAP
Population growth for growth’s sake (as a proxy for economic growth), without consideration for the demands this creates might actually compromise Tasmania’s economy.
A new analysis shows STEM majors tend to vote less than others. But researchers say the relationship between a college major and voter turnout is not necessarily cause and effect.
Political parties have increased the numbers of female legislative candidates. But the numbers of elected female legislators haven’t significantly increased.
Reuters/Beawiharta
Ella S. Prihatini, The University of Western Australia
Indonesia obliges political parties to have at least 30% of women candidates in their legislative candidates list. But then why this hasn’t significantly increase women’s electability?
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.
New ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa shortly after hearing he’d been elected to the top job.
EPA/Kim Ludbrook
Brought to its knees by the recklessness of the Zuma presidency, the South African economy needs a new deal. The ANC’s new leader Cyril Ramaphosa needs to act quickly if he’s going to make his mark.
If only expensive documents such as passports are acceptable forms of identification at polling stations, many people may be denied their democratic rights. Free voter cards are essential.