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,...
From
Germany
"Voices of Democracy" to instil courage
75 years ago, on 10 December 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted in the aftermath of...
Picture from PaFutEU - Climate and Environment
European Union
Defending democracy - or are we, really?
It’s no argument that our European democracies need defending. With non-friendly actors around the world...
Photo courtesy of Shiny_Coconut from Canva Pro https://www.canva.com/
Georgia
Polarisation over peace in Georgia
In Country in focus, Democracy International takes a closer look at advances in modern direct democracy and...
Aleksandra Wiśniewska (above), a 29-year-old political novice, who is now the youngest woman MP in Poland’s parliament. Courtesy of Aleksandra Wiśniewska/Instagram.
Poland
How to Win an Unfair Election
An exchange in Lodz reveals how the Polish opposition managed to defeat an authoritarian ruling party.
The presidential and vice presidential candidates of Taiwan's ruling DPP party (Photo by Joe Mathews)
Can Democracy Survive 2024?
2024 is the biggest election year in history. That may be bad for democracy.
Polling place in Surrey, British Columbia (Canada) for global Khalistan referendum
Canada
The Global Vote On Sikh Autonomy
The Khalistan referendum is not just about the Punjab. It's a preview of a future with transnational direct...
Romania
Send us your proposal
Get involved during the 2024 Forum on Modern Direct Democracy! Do you want to host a workshop, present your...
HK's District Elections Are New Target
More rules on district elections undermine democracy
Photo courtesy of Brian Hioe, photo provided for Life as an Activist project
Taiwan
Democracy is the only game in town
In Country in focus, Democracy International takes a closer look at advances in modern direct democracy and...
USA
Go to Bed, My City Council
Late-night decisions backfire