Stories

Member Story
Shadows of the Past: How Soviet Inferiority Narratives Hinder Democracy in Moldova and Ukraine
Post-Soviet countries like Ukraine and Moldova are deeply influenced by inferiority narratives — pervasive beliefs of national inadequacy rooted in Soviet-era legacies. This article examines how these narratives shape...
IDC Theme of the Month
From Backsliding to Breakthrough: Civil Society as Democracy's Last Line of Defence
Democracy does not vanish overnight; instead, it erodes step by step. Authoritarianism grows in the cracks, but so does civic resistance. Around the world, civil society is proving that when democratic institutions weaken,...
KIRKENES
NEW FEATURE: Where In the Democratic World is Bruno Kaufmann?
A Norwegian town on the Russia border feels pressure, and sees promise, in geopolitics
BRATISLAVA
SWI: Does Democracy Make a Place Richer?
Do Prosperity and Democracy Still Go Together?
OAKLAND
COLUMN: Why Can't I Quit This California-Invented Gambling Game?
Invented in Oakland, Fantasy Sports Has Us in Its Grip
CHICAGO
NATIONAL CIVIC LEAGUE: Local Governments and Community Foundation
Potential Partners? And a Meeting on Sept. 30 in Chicago.
BOULDER
NATIONAL CIVIC REVIEW: Reimaginging the Local Public Meeting
A Case Study of Strengthening Local Democracy in a Colorado City
GEDANGROWO
ASIA DEMOCRACY CHRONICLES: Not Our Trash
East Java Villages Struggle to Manage World's Plastic Waste
SACRAMENTO
COLUMN: FIGHTING 'FIRE WITH FIRE' AND ALL-CAPS
Does being tyrannical really topple a tyrant?
HONG KONG
ASIA DEMOCRACY CHRONICLES: Weaponizing Bureaucracy to Stifle Dissent
Hong Kong Uses Tax Audits, Licensing, Inspections
DECATUR
NATIONAL CIVIC REVIEW: A City Charter Commission Brings In the People
Georgia City Charter Effort Employs Democratic Innovation
NEWPORT BEACH
LOCAL SNAPSHOTS: Mayor Joe Stapleton
A Long, Gnarly Paddle for a Fallen Lifeguard—And Local Community