Democracy Local

Image by Joe Mathews using Google Gemini
TEXAS CITY, CALIFORNIA
COLUMN Chuck Norris Is Dead. 'Breaker! Breaker!' Will Live Forever
Why a Low-Budget 1977 Film About Trucking, Local Government, and Revolt Keeps Getting Better
Aspen, Colorado, city hall. Photo by Joe Mathews
NAIROBI
NEWSLETTER: Facts Won't Save Democracy; Nor Will Voting; City Twin on Fire
Also: 'Allocracy," Ukraine Farming, Municipal Mandates Exceed Borders
Photo by Joe Mathews
USA
Driving Through Fire in My Hometown
Our local fires aren't unbelievable. We are.
Sweden
How Stockholm Is Governed by Everyday People
How governance by everyday citizens, not professional politicians, makes cities better.
Pallbearers pour dirt into the grave of 19-year-old Shiite Musawir Hussain who was killed in a Nov. 21 attack in Pakistan’s Kurram district that left at least 52, mostly Shiites, dead. (Photo: Muhammad Nawaz)
Pakistan
ASIA DEMOCRACY CHRONICLES In Kurram District, Lives Lost and Interrupted
A humanitarian crisis in northwest Pakistan reveals a government unwilling or unable to protect its people
Via Facebook page of Chavit Singson
Philippines
PCIJ: How Family Dynaties Control Local, Regional Governments
71 Governors Are Part of Political Dynasties
Photo by Joe Mathews
Global
New Year's Resolution: Give Up Elections to Focus on Democracy
2024's "Year of Elections" damaged democracy. Let's stop devoting so many resources to voting.
Photo credit: by Marc Geretz
USA
COLUMN In Equity, Local Losers Can Be Champions
A high school team lost 9 of its 10 regular season games. Then, under an equity system, it won a championship...
Bangladesh
ASIA DEMOCRACY CHRONICLES Empty Villages, Crowded Jungles
A small indigenous minority bears the brunt of military operations against armed insurgents.  
Photo credit: Car-free Sunday in central Jakarta, by Joe Mathews
Global
Our First Year. Macondo Forever. Why We're All Batman.
How to Donate. Korea impeachment songs. Small-town mayor-president?
Philippines
LOCAL SNAPSHOTS Nolito M. Quilang, Councilor
The spirit of Dagyaw—and bringing community groups into government in Ormoc City
Photo credit: Muhammad ECTOR Prasetyo, via Flickr, CC BY 2.0
Indonesia
ASIA DEMOCRACY CHRONICLES: Nickel and Dammed
Nickel-mining on Indonesia's Halmahera Island pose threat to one of the last hunting-gathering tribes