The hottest Democracy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top World Politics Topics

The vocabulary of democracy's architecture

Demodexio • 264 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Democracy Governance Political theory Political Reform Public Policy
  1. We need new words to describe democracy better, especially as society becomes more complex. Current terms like 'capitalism' and 'socialism' don’t really help much anymore.
  2. Demodexio is a proposed system that combines the needs of the people with the expertise of skilled individuals. This approach aims to create a more effective democracy suited for our specialized world.
  3. It's important to standardize terms when discussing threats to democracy, like misinformation. This clarity can help us address issues more effectively.

Crossing a line

Thinking about... • 1203 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Authoritarianism Freedom Media Democracy War
  1. Living under Russian occupation is incredibly dangerous for Ukrainians. They risk torture or worse for simply expressing their opinions or having Ukrainian symbols.
  2. While war restricts freedom in Ukraine, people there still experience more personal freedom and expression than under Russian control. They can speak their minds without fear of their own government.
  3. There is a growing concern that America might head towards a regime similar to Russia's, where media is controlled, and people's freedoms are increasingly restricted. It's important to stay aware of this and recognize the lines we must not cross.

The insurrection across the street

Lucian Truscott Newsletter • 3930 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Justice Laws Current Events Democracy
  1. The Supreme Court is closely connected to the insurrection on January 6, 2021, which happened across the street from them
  2. The actions of Donald Trump and his followers during the insurrection are central to the cases before the Supreme Court
  3. The Supreme Court's handling of the cases related to the insurrection will impact the neighborhood of democracy and its integrity

The Fall of Democracy is a Markov Process

Maximum Effort, Minimum Reward • 383 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political theory Government Systems Historical Analysis Democracy Governance
  1. Political systems can change between different types, like moving from democracy to tyranny. This pattern has been studied using historical data from ancient Greek city-states.
  2. The concept of 'anacyclosis' describes how governments can cycle through forms of rule, leading to predictable changes over time. It suggests that democracies can end up in tyrannical rule.
  3. Having a mix of government types can create stability. The Roman Republic is seen as an example of this mixed constitution, combining elements of democracy, aristocracy, and monarchy.

Gerrymandering

David Friedman’s Substack • 404 implied HN points • 25 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Voting Rights Political parties Democracy
  1. Gerrymandering can cause a major mismatch between the number of votes a party gets and the number of seats they win. For example, in Tennessee, Republicans won a majority of the votes but secured nearly all the congressional districts.
  2. Courts can create confusion when deciding on gerrymandering cases. For instance, in Louisiana, one court ordered a new district to favor black voters while another barred such a plan, leading to mixed rulings.
  3. The current laws regarding voting representation may not consider how districts are drawn, creating issues for both racial and political fairness. Just because a group doesn't have representation proportional to their population doesn't mean gerrymandering is happening.
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Hessen Interior Minister announces measures to combat "unfiltered opinions" on social media, state media expert calls for the regulation of internet memes, and other insanity from the Federal Republic

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 216 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Regulation Social media Democracy Disinformation
  1. Germany's government is getting very worried about people's opinions on social media. They're planning new measures to control these 'unfiltered opinions.'
  2. There's a push to regulate internet memes, showing just how serious officials are about controlling what people can say online.
  3. Some officials believe that criticism of the public media could harm democracy, which raises concerns about free speech and the ability to discuss different viewpoints.

The Dangers of the Far Right vs Far Left

Erik Examines • 44 implied HN points • 09 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Ideologies Far-right Democracy Totalitarianism
  1. Fascism is a bigger threat to democracies than communism. Historically, countries with strong democratic systems have not fallen to communism, but many have suffered under fascist regimes.
  2. Communist revolutions often happened in oppressive settings where democracy wasn't an option. When allowed in democracies, socialists usually promote social welfare rather than totalitarianism.
  3. Many past atrocities are wrongly associated with socialism, while similar actions taken under capitalism are often overlooked. It's important to recognize the differences and not equate left-wing movements with dictatorship.

Liberalism Versus Democracy 2

From the New World • 32 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
📖 Philosophy Political theory Ethics Social theory Liberalism Democracy
  1. Liberalism hides the political aspect of society instead of getting rid of it. It uses a way of talking about politics that keeps its true nature hidden.
  2. Polarization, or disagreement, helps people understand their true values. It's not about making people hate each other; it's about revealing differing opinions.
  3. Social harmony can sometimes be enforced in a way that isn't natural. When that enforced order weakens, people's honest disagreements come to light.

Trump vs. the Law

Comment is Freed • 106 implied HN points • 26 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Democracy Law Elections Governance Populism
  1. Democracy in America is at risk if Trump makes permanent changes to its structure. His actions might affect how future elections and governance work.
  2. There’s a real fear of a shift toward a system similar to Hungary, where leaders gain power using media control and different election rules.
  3. Some wealthy Americans and media outlets are supporting Trump, which could make it harder for normal government functions to operate and discourage open debate.

America’s Conservative Party

Dana Blankenhorn: Facing the Future • 59 implied HN points • 07 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Parties Populism Elections Democracy Constitution
  1. The roles of the Democratic and Republican parties have changed. Nowadays, Democrats are seen as the ones supporting individual rights and national defense, while Republicans under Trump lean towards populism.
  2. Populism in America has deep roots, especially in religious communities. This shift has been influenced by technology, money, and changes in the legal framework regarding church and state.
  3. Democracy is facing significant challenges, but there's hope that non-religious Republicans may distance themselves from the current party leadership. The democratic system might need rebuilding in the future.

Rightists as Low Decouplers: Examples from the Comments

Richard Hanania's Newsletter • 3096 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Ideology Conservatism Democracy Online Discourse
  1. High decoupling means focusing on individual issues without being influenced by group biases. This helps in having more productive debates and understanding complex situations better.
  2. People on the right often struggle to decouple their opinions from their political identity. This makes it harder for them to acknowledge facts or engage in meaningful discussions about events like Trump's coup attempt.
  3. Conspiracy theories often go hand-in-hand with low decoupling. When people can't separate facts from their beliefs, it leads to stubbornness and a lack of productive dialogue.

Guatemala Just Ran January 6th In Reverse

Persuasion • 3852 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Democracy Corruption Protests International relations Political Movements
  1. Guatemala recently experienced a successful pro-democracy movement against a corrupt political establishment.
  2. A largely-indigenous grassroots movement mobilized to demand respect for their votes and succeeded in getting the new president sworn in.
  3. The international community largely overlooked Guatemala's impressive defense of democracy, pointing to various reasons like lack of attention and conflicting support from different political factions.

What the future looks like from here.

The Future, Now and Then • 770 implied HN points • 06 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Democracy Elections Governance Political parties Public Policy
  1. Trumpism is not going to last forever, but it will cause a lot of pain for people and will take a long time to recover from.
  2. The future looks bleak for everyday people. We could see less government protection and more power for the wealthy, leading to issues in health care, justice, and the environment.
  3. Even though it seems tough right now, there's hope that one day society can rebuild and move past Trumpism, since authoritarianism has its weaknesses too.

🌎 My Q&A with Francis Fukuyama on technological change and liberal democracy. Some sci-fi, too!

Faster, Please! • 822 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political theory Technology Policy Democracy Regulation Transhumanism
  1. The impact of technology on society has both positive and negative effects. While the internet has helped people access information and organize for their rights, it has also created a lot of misinformation and chaos.
  2. Government regulation of AI and new technologies is complex and challenging. It's important to have experts in the field, but the existing systems might make it hard to adapt quickly enough.
  3. Science fiction can help us think about the future and its potential dangers. While many stories focus on dystopia, they also provide us with important lessons about the risks and benefits of new technologies.

A Dinner in Berlin

Remarkable People • 519 implied HN points • 10 Jul 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Commentary Elections Democracy History Social Issues
  1. A dinner conversation in Berlin made someone reflect on how people responded to fascism in the past. It's important to think about our actions and choices in today's political climate.
  2. The writer felt a strong duty to resist negativity and support what they believed in, even if it meant facing backlash. They realized that standing up now is important for future generations.
  3. Everyone should consider how they will explain their actions to their grandchildren someday. Will they be proud of their decisions to defend democracy or regret not speaking up?

Are ‘Islamists in Charge of Britain’?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 6241 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Antisemitism Democracy Extremism
  1. There have been increased incidents of antisemitism and violence in London, causing safety concerns for Jewish schools and worshippers.
  2. The British Parliament faced a situation where fear of Islamist violence influenced decision-making, leading to deviations from parliamentary norms.
  3. The rise of Islamist extremism in Britain has created a pressing need for immediate and decisive action, including arrests and deportations of individuals inciting violence or religious hatred.

Whose Standards Are Too High?

Bet On It • 573 implied HN points • 11 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political theory Democracy Government Regulation Public Policy
  1. Many people have high standards for politicians and democracy, but they should consider that the alternatives might not be better.
  2. The free market is often held to very high standards, but voters and politicians should think about whether government actions can truly improve things.
  3. Instead of pushing for more government intervention, maybe people should appreciate the benefits of a free market and how it has worked historically.

US Fights Democracy Abroad

Nonzero Newsletter • 372 implied HN points • 13 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Foreign Policy Democracy Political trends Geopolitics
  1. The U.S. is facing criticism for overlooking democratic backsliding in allied countries, like Romania and Georgia, to focus on countering Russian influence.
  2. AI technology is causing concerns, with incidents involving chatbots leading to severe mental health issues, highlighting the need for better safety measures in the industry.
  3. There is a political shift happening, with traditional left and right divides blurring, as some Democrats and Republicans are finding common ground against the political establishment.

Some quick thoughts on Trump

Striking 13 • 2795 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Democracy Global relations Ideology Political Movements
  1. The battle for American democracy is crucial, especially considering the attempt to steal the election and the impact on democratic values.
  2. Coverage of US elections in the UK tends to be detached and skeptical, hindering a clear understanding of the situation and its implications.
  3. Europe is unprepared to handle the implications of a rogue US leader, showcasing its reliance on American leadership and raising questions about Europe's ability to uphold its values independently.

It's time we learned to love the Lords

Striking 13 • 2316 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Democracy Legislation Reform Partisanship
  1. The House of Lords, despite being undemocratic, is effective in improving laws and providing scrutiny in ways the Commons can't.
  2. The lack of a majority in the Lords prevents the government from unchecked power, forcing better governance and encouraging consensus-building.
  3. Expertise in the Lords, particularly from crossbenchers, plays a key role in improving legislation and offering valuable insights, highlighting the importance of a balanced approach to democracy.

Springtime for Musk and Thiel

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 20 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Power Government Democracy Oligarchy Civil Rights
  1. Elon Musk and his allies are gaining a lot of power over the U.S. government, which is causing concerns about their intentions and impact on democracy.
  2. These tech billionaires benefit a lot from government support but often criticize welfare programs and public services for others.
  3. The leadership style of people like Musk and Trump seems driven by deep personal issues, leading to actions that may not consider the well-being of society.

India Ascending

Diane Francis • 899 implied HN points • 16 May 24
🌍 World Politics Elections Economy International relations Political Leadership Democracy
  1. India is the world's biggest democracy, with nearly one billion eligible voters participating in elections.
  2. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to be re-elected, and he has played a big role in India's modernization and economic growth.
  3. India is projected to become the world's third-largest economy soon and could become second by 2050, highlighting its rise as a superpower.

Greater FOOL Theory

In My Tribe • 1093 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Democracy Libertarianism Government Regulations
  1. The idea of who should make important decisions varies. Some believe it should be individuals, others say experts, and some think it should be decided by everyone voting.
  2. People often fear what others do, leading to ideas like restricting things just because someone might misuse them. This fear can come from both ordinary folks and elites.
  3. While real democracy has its problems because people may not be informed, relying on unelected officials can also make things worse. Finding a balance between the two is tough.

Can the decline of two-party politics be reversed?

Comment is Freed • 53 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Analysis Democracy Government Trust Party Politics
  1. Many people are losing faith in big political parties, and this is happening not just in one country but around the world.
  2. The current electoral system isn't helping this situation, as it can lead to low support for the winning party, making the government seem less legitimate.
  3. There's a need to explore how different voting systems might help rebuild trust in democracy and make majoritarian governments work better.

CROSSPOST: Alexandra Petri: It Has Fallen to Me, the ["Washington Post"] Humor Columnist, to Endorse Harris for President

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 584 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Candidates Media Democracy Political Commentary
  1. The Washington Post decided not to endorse a candidate for the 2024 presidential election, saying they want to return to their historical roots of neutrality.
  2. The humor columnist publicly endorsed Kamala Harris because she believes it's important to care about the future and the kind of world her child will be born into.
  3. She argues that democracy is fragile and must be actively supported, and that it's crucial to speak out against candidates who threaten it, like Donald Trump.

Moscow Marjorie

Diane Francis • 1119 implied HN points • 18 Apr 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Espionage Legislation Disinformation Democracy
  1. Russia is spreading misinformation and trying to weaken democracies around the world. This includes spying and undercover operations in Europe and the US.
  2. Donald Trump and Marjorie Taylor Greene are seen as supporters of Russia, often sharing ideas that align with Russian narratives.
  3. There are concerns about Trump's demand to limit the FISA Act, which helps protect the US from foreign threats, despite warnings from former officials about the risks.

The Liberal Media Always Fails Against Fascism

Shatter Zone • 4107 implied HN points • 08 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Fascism Journalism Nazism Democracy
  1. Liberal media institutions like the New York Times and Washington Post historically fail at confronting fascism.
  2. Evidence shows a decline in free societies despite an increase in global news media outlets and journalists.
  3. Journalists and publishers of legacy media companies have sometimes enabled fascist movements by prioritizing objectivity over advocacy against authoritarianism.

A NEW AMERICA IS STRUGGLING TO BE BORN

TRANSFORM with Marianne Williamson • 3950 implied HN points • 20 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Democracy Political Change Social justice Corporate Influence
  1. A new America is struggling to be born with a focus on reclaiming original principles.
  2. The current political landscape needs to shift to prioritize the well-being and inclusivity of all Americans.
  3. It is time for a new generation of American consciousness to emerge and steer the country towards a better future.

American Elections Are Unfair

Cremieux Recueil • 446 implied HN points • 05 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Voting Democracy Political Bias Reform
  1. Many American elections have unfair practices, especially how candidates are listed on ballots. This can give a big advantage to candidates whose names appear earlier alphabetically.
  2. The media can influence election outcomes by favoring certain candidates, which makes the elections feel less fair. Bias from media coverage can pressure voters and affect their choices.
  3. Fixing the unfairness in elections is easy. Simple changes like randomizing ballot order can make a big difference in creating a fair voting process.

American Politics is Bringing Us Down

The Liberal Patriot • 1729 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Citizenship Partisanship Democracy Activism
  1. Many voters view politics negatively and feel disheartened by the current state of American politics.
  2. Engaging in non-political activities and discussions can provide a refreshing break from partisan divides.
  3. Reinvigorating democracy requires looking beyond partisan politics and working together in various civic roles to address societal challenges.