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,...
Tunisia
Tunisian elders nurture decentralisation impetus
Decentralisation in Tunisia is imminent, according to Swiss democracy expert Andreas Gross, who advocates...
Switzerland
Direct Democracy Good For the Economy
The advantages of #citizenpower in politics outweighs potential negative impacts on a countrys economy,...
Taiwan
Towards a citizen-drafted constitution in Taiwan
A coalition of social activists and human rights groups are pushing for a citizen – based rewriting of Taiwan...
What better way to learn democracy than by doing it?
A High School in Arizona is experimenting with participative budgeting and offers the evidence that kids can...
How direct democracy helps U.S. become a better place
Poor America! At first sight the recent US midterm elections offer little relief. America´s traumatised...
The ugly Beast and its unlikely Beauty
Democracy in America has seen better days ever since French political thinker Alexis de Tocqueville first...
Scotland
Scotland: A true victory for people power
The citizens of Scotland have decided. Against full independence. But also for more democratic powers for all...
Switzerland
How to (mis)understand Swiss direct democracy
As a Swiss citizen of the European Union with - even if very limited - executive powers in a Swedish city, I...
Uruguay
A New Reality for Latin America's Most Established Democracy
Citizens of Uruguay have once more resorted to initiatives and referendums during the past two years. But for...
European Union
Our Democratic Need of Public Squares
Maidan Square in Kiev. Taksim Square in Istanbul. Tahrir Square in Cairo. Recent democratic movements around...