Democratic Backsliding & Solutions

Zambia’s cancellation of RightsCon is an indication not only of China’s influence, but also the country's own democratic erosion under a government that promised otherwise.

Poland’s recovery from democratic backsliding shows how hard the process can be -- and why U.S. reformers should start planning now for lawful, durable renewal.

The economic fallout across Africa from the Iran war will have major impact on the well-being of African citizens and the prospects for democracy on the continent.

How the Administrative Procedure Act and state unfair competition laws could be used to punish, deter, or expose corruption in the federal government.

U.S. targeted sanctions have long promoted accountability, but recent removals under Trump raise concerns about opacity, favoritism, and weakening human rights enforcement.

Amid democratic backsliding, Hungary's mayors helped maintain people's trust in government, demonstrating how local leaders can help reweave torn social fabric.

Rising political violence discourages civic engagement, but socially cohesive neighborhoods help Americans stay politically active and committed to democracy.

Peter Magyar's election defeat of Viktor Orban in Hungary is easing relations with the EU and Ukraine. The course correction could even reverberate in the U.S.

Georgia’s police reform reduced corruption and modernized policing, but it left law enforcement vulnerable to executive control, raising deeper concerns about autonomy.

Quscondy Abdulshafi joins host Viola Gienger to discuss how Sudan got to this point, how the international community has responded, and where to go next. 

The Trump administration invokes “fraud” to justify freezing Medicaid, SNAP, and family aid, sidestepping legal safeguards and turning vital programs into political weapons.

The safeguards emerging from Taiwan's effort to address information manipulation risks offer democracies a platform governance roadmap.