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,...
Taiwan
Taiwan To Free Direct Democracy After Power Change
Taiwan's national legislature is about to liberalize existing restrictions on direct democracy mechanisms...
European Union
A European Citizens´ Assembly
Imagine a European Citizens´ Assembly (ECA) of 200 or more randomly selected citizens from all the countries...
Why the Politics of Nostalgia Are Dangerous
This summer the main US parties will decide about their candidates for November 8 presidential elections. ...
Austria
One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
In Austria modern direct democracy is struggling to get off the ground due to the lack of unity and desire...
Italy
How the Curse of the Quorum Poisoned Democracy
In the last 20 years Italians could directly decide on 31 nationwide laws. But in 27 cases, including the...
Netherlands
Dutch Citizens' Veto: Panacea for Democratic Ills?
Since last summer Dutch citizens have the formal right to demand a referendum vote on laws approved by the...
Switzerland
Total Recall, Swiss Style
The right to recall elected officials is well known in many American countries and US states, but less so in...
Ireland
After Fixing The Economy Ireland Now Looks At Its Democracy
This Friday, February 26, 4.65 million citizens of the Republic of Ireland are called to the polling stations...
Switzerland
User Manual to Modern Direct Democracy
In a country where people are called to the ballot box several times a year, citizens are sometimes...
Direct Democracy Key to Happiness in America
Democracy in America is in crisis, as the ongoing races for president demonstrate. But there is a ray of hope...