Stories

ANKARA
NEWS: Two Turkish Cities Are Finalists for 'European Capital of Democracy'
Ankara and Denizli Join Brussels and Tirana on Short List
ADDIS ABABA
NEWSLETTER: The Planetocracy Is Coming, So Wear Your White Hats
Also: Impact Investing Against Democracy; Sub-Saharan Local Covenant; Cat-Mayor-Martyr
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
Photo credit: Wikimedia and Pulitzer Prizes, CC BY-SA 4.0
USA
COLUMN A Rap Feud's Lessons for Locals Fighting a Ruling Demagogue
What would Kendrick Lamar do? The California hip hop artist shows how to beat Drake, Trump and other hegemons
Photo credit: Bill Fulton, Future of Where
USA
FUTURE OF WHERE Local Attachments May Leave Behind Nations, States
Increasingly, our connection to people in other places shapes identity.
Global
A Model Local Law for Calling & Funding Citizens Assemblies
Democracy Local produced a draft law. How would you change it?
Photo credit: by Joe Mathews
Spain
LOCAL SNAPSHOTS Oliver Peña Estevez
Democracy and Housing in Esplugues de Llobregat, Catalonia