Democratic Backsliding & Solutions

From healthcare bans to funding cuts, the consequences of hate-driven policymaking opposing transgender rights ripple broadly across communities.

The labor issues the U.S. Trade Representative claims to investigate are real problems. They should not become pretexts for tariffs the administration already wants.

Congress should demand transparency and require the U.S. government to publicly release third-country deportation agreements, including with the Central African Republic. 

Environmental human rights defenders must be empowered to design and implement their own forms of collective protection to shift the power imbalance.

The once-lauded Zambian president's nixing of a major digital rights conference shows the risks of lionizing individual leaders without a backup plan.

China's intrusive military, economic, and diplomatic aid to Russia, Iran, and others spreads autocratic practices such as secrecy, censorship, surveillance, and corruption.

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.