Founded in 1790, the Patent Office aimed to put innovation and entrepreneurship within reach of every citizen. Now, 10 million patents later, critics say an out-of-touch system is doing the opposite.
‘Goddesses of Democracy’ in the 21st century: Thomas Marsh sculpted a replica (left) in Washington DC of the statue destroyed in Tiananmen Square in 1989; on the 21st anniversary of the massacre, Hong Kong students erected a statue on campus (centre) after police had seized a plastic replica.
Flickr/DB King; Flickr/Ryanne Lai; Flickr/Ryanne Lai
History tells us that while elements of competition and inclusion strengthen multiparty systems, too much of either can be fatal to the process of democratisation.
The haste to deregulate political finance has led to political participation in the US becoming highly unequal.
Reuters/Jason Reed
The role of money in politics challenges rich and poor countries worldwide. Its abuse raises problems of graft, corruption and cronyism, undermining legitimacy and governance.
The online social networks that social media facilitate can act as powerful distribution channels for political messages.
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We need political and civil society leaders to reflect on the language that they use, and to strive to shape a civic narrative with which we can all engage.
Massive youth unemployment and a legal system left over from dictatorship days are still holding Tunisia back.
South Africa has seen an upsurge in protests recently, but can it really be said to be less peaceful than dictatorships such as Equatorial Guinea and Gambia?
Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko
Indexes such as the Global Peace Index are used by a wide variety of players to make decisions ranging from investments to providing other support. But do they deserve this level of credibility?
Well if you’d just ASK someone Bernard…
Courtesy of Rob Nelson
When it comes to choosing locations, the leaders of baboon packs take a step back.
The Abbott government has hid asylum policy behind ‘operational matters’ since it took office – starting with then-immigration minister Scott Morrison in 2013.
AAP/Paul Miller
Democracy in Africa has yet to be firmly anchored to withstand the strong currents that threaten it. Although most African countries are electoral democracies, most hold dubious elections.
Two new platforms: Meerkat and Periscope.
Meerkat, Periscope
Filming, live-streaming, sharing on your smartphone – and what that could mean for governments.
Remittance recipients whose priority is the socioeconomic improvements of their lives were found to be less engaged with democratic processes.
Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah
Remittances may hinder the development of democracy in sub-Saharan Africa. A lot depends on whether recipients value rights and freedom much more than improving their standard of living.
One of the biggest publishers you know.
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How much money does the government spend on producing information? How many people are engaged in this? We don’t know the answers - here’s why we should.
Nothing of what William’s subjects had in life escaped the Domesday Book. Today, more covertly, those in power are using mass surveillance to collect all the digital details of our lives.
Flickr/Andrew Barclay
Almost 1000 years after their ruler demanded every detail of serfs’ lives, the digital age and mass surveillance are creating a new and undemocratic imbalance between citizens and those with power over them.
Working for governance in Uganda.
www.futureatlas.com
Compared to other parts of the world, Africa is not a high-flyer in the area of election management. This can be attributed to the scourge of violence, fraud, corruption and intimidation.
How often do politicians lie?
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There may be only one way to tell the truth, but there are at least five ways to “lie.” And our politicians seem to be the master of this art. A scholar decides to teach this to his students.