Journal of Democracy
@jodemocracy.bsky.social
The Journal of Democracy: The smartest analysis on democracy and authoritarianism around the world. Reposts ≠ Endorsement. https://linkin.bio/jodemocracy
It's not a myth: leaders sometimes intentionally undermine their governments’ ability to govern. How and why do these leaders seek to dismantle the states they lead? Read "Why Populists Hollow Out Their States":
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
January 5, 2026 at 9:00 PM
It's not a myth: leaders sometimes intentionally undermine their governments’ ability to govern. How and why do these leaders seek to dismantle the states they lead? Read "Why Populists Hollow Out Their States":
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
If AI is allowed to flood civic discourse with synthetic content, citizens may lose trust in democratic institutions and feel less inclined to participate in civil society. Read "The AI Democracy Dilemma":
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
January 5, 2026 at 8:00 PM
If AI is allowed to flood civic discourse with synthetic content, citizens may lose trust in democratic institutions and feel less inclined to participate in civil society. Read "The AI Democracy Dilemma":
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
Looking to hold a leader accountable for an attempted coup? Brazil offers a roadmap. Read "How to Bring Authoritarians to Justice":
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
January 5, 2026 at 7:47 PM
Looking to hold a leader accountable for an attempted coup? Brazil offers a roadmap. Read "How to Bring Authoritarians to Justice":
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
"A democratic government in Caracas — even one that must contend with guerrilla warfare and entrenched criminal networks — will be able to pursue economic reforms, access international financing, and begin rebuilding destroyed institutions."
How Venezuela Actually Becomes a Democracy | Journal of Democracy
The South American country may be on the verge of real change. But it isn’t going to descend into civil-war chaos like Libya. It will be difficult, imperfect, and far better than what Venezuelans have…
www.journalofdemocracy.org
January 5, 2026 at 7:00 PM
"A democratic government in Caracas — even one that must contend with guerrilla warfare and entrenched criminal networks — will be able to pursue economic reforms, access international financing, and begin rebuilding destroyed institutions."
Can Gen-Z movements really force democratic transitions? Read "Why Gen-Z Is Rising" by @matthewcebul.bsky.social and @chenoweth.bsky.social to find out.
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
January 5, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Can Gen-Z movements really force democratic transitions? Read "Why Gen-Z Is Rising" by @matthewcebul.bsky.social and @chenoweth.bsky.social to find out.
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
Nicolás Maduro stole Venezuela’s 2024 election and entrenched his power by jailing and killing those who opposed him.
Venezuela’s Lost Year | Journal of Democracy
A year ago Nicolás Maduro stole Venezuela’s election and entrenched his power by jailing and killing those who opposed him. But the world’s democracies don’t need to sit on the sidelines.
www.journalofdemocracy.org
January 5, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Nicolás Maduro stole Venezuela’s 2024 election and entrenched his power by jailing and killing those who opposed him.
Nicolás Maduro brazenly stole Venezuela’s 2024 presidential election, despite a free, fair, and transparent ballot count that showed a clear opposition victory. Why would an autocrat want to maintain one of the world’s best voting systems?
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
January 5, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Nicolás Maduro brazenly stole Venezuela’s 2024 presidential election, despite a free, fair, and transparent ballot count that showed a clear opposition victory. Why would an autocrat want to maintain one of the world’s best voting systems?
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
Reposted by Journal of Democracy
Kicking off 2026 writing with @chenoweth.bsky.social on global Gen-Z protests.
Young people do *not* like corruption, and Gen-Z protests are destabilizing corrupt governments everywhere. Yet for several reasons, we should temper expectations for durable democratic reforms to emerge in their wake.
Young people do *not* like corruption, and Gen-Z protests are destabilizing corrupt governments everywhere. Yet for several reasons, we should temper expectations for durable democratic reforms to emerge in their wake.
Young people from Peru to Madagascar to Nepal — furious with political elites reaping the spoils of privilege and corruption — are rising up to demand change, write Erica Chenoweth and @matthewcebul.bsky.social. Read "Why Gen-Z Is Rising" in our new January issue!
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
January 2, 2026 at 4:19 PM
Kicking off 2026 writing with @chenoweth.bsky.social on global Gen-Z protests.
Young people do *not* like corruption, and Gen-Z protests are destabilizing corrupt governments everywhere. Yet for several reasons, we should temper expectations for durable democratic reforms to emerge in their wake.
Young people do *not* like corruption, and Gen-Z protests are destabilizing corrupt governments everywhere. Yet for several reasons, we should temper expectations for durable democratic reforms to emerge in their wake.
Reposted by Journal of Democracy
Galo Mayorga & I have a new article in @jodemocracy.bsky.social on the rise of criminal violence in Ecuador, governments' struggles to respond, & where Pres. Noboa goes after his recent referendum defeat. Free to read/download for the next few weeks! muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/articl...
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muse.jhu.edu
January 2, 2026 at 7:07 PM
Galo Mayorga & I have a new article in @jodemocracy.bsky.social on the rise of criminal violence in Ecuador, governments' struggles to respond, & where Pres. Noboa goes after his recent referendum defeat. Free to read/download for the next few weeks! muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/articl...
Reposted by Journal of Democracy
My comment on @dziblatt.bsky.social and Steven Levitsky's reflections on majority will and authoritarianism. I think the authors overcorrected the understanding of the majority element in democracy. They responded to my points, all in the latest @jodemocracy.bsky.social
More on all this in my
More on all this in my
Authoritarians often abuse electoral systems and institutional power to thwart majority will. But the basic principles of democracy — political participation, fundamental rights, and the rule of law — can take shape in more than one way, @meyer-resende.bsky.social argues.
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
January 4, 2026 at 4:41 PM
My comment on @dziblatt.bsky.social and Steven Levitsky's reflections on majority will and authoritarianism. I think the authors overcorrected the understanding of the majority element in democracy. They responded to my points, all in the latest @jodemocracy.bsky.social
More on all this in my
More on all this in my
"I am prepared to endure any hardship for the sake of my belief in justice and the freedom of our people. But the humiliation of human dignity can never be acceptable—not for me, nor for anyone who bears the name of a human being." —Tundu Lissu.
Read more:
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
Read more:
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
January 4, 2026 at 8:00 PM
"I am prepared to endure any hardship for the sake of my belief in justice and the freedom of our people. But the humiliation of human dignity can never be acceptable—not for me, nor for anyone who bears the name of a human being." —Tundu Lissu.
Read more:
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
Read more:
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
"Today, I speak to you from detention, but I speak with hope, not with despair. Manipulated court decisions and violations of the laws cannot annul the will of the people," wrote mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu for the 2025 PES Congress.
Read more:
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
Read more:
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
January 4, 2026 at 6:00 PM
"Today, I speak to you from detention, but I speak with hope, not with despair. Manipulated court decisions and violations of the laws cannot annul the will of the people," wrote mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu for the 2025 PES Congress.
Read more:
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
Read more:
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
While attending to the risk of majoritarian abuse, we must also guard against institutions that empower — and even entrench — authoritarian minorities, @stevelevitsky.bsky.social and @dziblatt.bsky.social caution.
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
January 4, 2026 at 4:00 PM
While attending to the risk of majoritarian abuse, we must also guard against institutions that empower — and even entrench — authoritarian minorities, @stevelevitsky.bsky.social and @dziblatt.bsky.social caution.
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
Authoritarians often abuse electoral systems and institutional power to thwart majority will. But the basic principles of democracy — political participation, fundamental rights, and the rule of law — can take shape in more than one way, @meyer-resende.bsky.social argues.
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
January 4, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Authoritarians often abuse electoral systems and institutional power to thwart majority will. But the basic principles of democracy — political participation, fundamental rights, and the rule of law — can take shape in more than one way, @meyer-resende.bsky.social argues.
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
January 4, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Whether preying on people’s anxieties or playing the part of the progressive liberal, illiberal leaders see “gender” as a tool that can be adapted to whatever use best serves their interests, @elinbja.bsky.social and @parzetterberg.bsky.social argue.
January 3, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Whether preying on people’s anxieties or playing the part of the progressive liberal, illiberal leaders see “gender” as a tool that can be adapted to whatever use best serves their interests, @elinbja.bsky.social and @parzetterberg.bsky.social argue.
Can democracy endure in embattled countries shaped by historic traumas and facing dire threats from powers that deny their right to exist? Jarosław Kuisz and Karolina Wigura unpack their dilemmas. Read "The Post-Traumatic Sovereignty Trap" from our new January issue!
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
January 3, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Can democracy endure in embattled countries shaped by historic traumas and facing dire threats from powers that deny their right to exist? Jarosław Kuisz and Karolina Wigura unpack their dilemmas. Read "The Post-Traumatic Sovereignty Trap" from our new January issue!
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
Long-time hopes for a rise of “Muslim democracy” have gone unrealized. What are the barriers to progress, ask @rkilinc.bsky.social, Turan Kayaoglu, and Etga Ugur? Read "The Empty Quest for Muslim Democracy" from our new January issue!
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
January 3, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Long-time hopes for a rise of “Muslim democracy” have gone unrealized. What are the barriers to progress, ask @rkilinc.bsky.social, Turan Kayaoglu, and Etga Ugur? Read "The Empty Quest for Muslim Democracy" from our new January issue!
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
Ecuador, already besieged by crime and violence, now has a populist president whose “strong hand” policies may do even more damage to the country’s democracy, Galo Mayorga and @kaimthaler.bsky.social predict. NEW: "Crime, Crackdowns, and Democracy in Ecuador".
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
January 3, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Ecuador, already besieged by crime and violence, now has a populist president whose “strong hand” policies may do even more damage to the country’s democracy, Galo Mayorga and @kaimthaler.bsky.social predict. NEW: "Crime, Crackdowns, and Democracy in Ecuador".
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
January 3, 2026 at 1:00 PM
As Tanzania’s October 2025 sham election got underway, protests broke out across the country, sparking a brutal regime crackdown — and, Dan Paget argues, a turning point for both the ruling party and the Tanzanian people.
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
January 2, 2026 at 9:00 PM
As Tanzania’s October 2025 sham election got underway, protests broke out across the country, sparking a brutal regime crackdown — and, Dan Paget argues, a turning point for both the ruling party and the Tanzanian people.
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
One way or another, explains @kristoftiteca.bsky.social, the highly personalistic regime of Uganda’s octogenarian president, Yoweri Museveni, is passing, and there is no clear view of what will follow. Read "Uganda After Museveni" from our new January issue!
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
January 2, 2026 at 8:00 PM
One way or another, explains @kristoftiteca.bsky.social, the highly personalistic regime of Uganda’s octogenarian president, Yoweri Museveni, is passing, and there is no clear view of what will follow. Read "Uganda After Museveni" from our new January issue!
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
Narendra Modi and the BJP have developed the textbook attack on India’s universities and centers of free thought that serves as a vital warning for any country where higher education is in danger, writes Nandini Sundar. NEW: "Inside Modi’s Assault on Academic Freedom"!
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
January 2, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Narendra Modi and the BJP have developed the textbook attack on India’s universities and centers of free thought that serves as a vital warning for any country where higher education is in danger, writes Nandini Sundar. NEW: "Inside Modi’s Assault on Academic Freedom"!
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
Ukraine must win its war against Russian aggression. But Nik Hynek and Michal Šenk argue the decisions it makes now will determine what kind of state it will be when the war is over. Read "Three Mistakes Ukraine Must Avoid" from our new January issue!
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
January 2, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Ukraine must win its war against Russian aggression. But Nik Hynek and Michal Šenk argue the decisions it makes now will determine what kind of state it will be when the war is over. Read "Three Mistakes Ukraine Must Avoid" from our new January issue!
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
Elected leaders are intentionally undermining their governments’ ability to govern by dismantling the states they lead, warn Andrés Mejía Acosta and @javierpsandoval.bsky.social. Read "Why Populists Hollow Out Their States" from our new January issue!
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
January 2, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Elected leaders are intentionally undermining their governments’ ability to govern by dismantling the states they lead, warn Andrés Mejía Acosta and @javierpsandoval.bsky.social. Read "Why Populists Hollow Out Their States" from our new January issue!
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...