The hottest Democracy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top World Politics Topics

Federal Government Operatives And Soros Money Behind Plot To Keep Trump Off Ballot

Public • 554 implied HN points • 29 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Election Democracy Partisanship Conspiracy
  1. Maine's Secretary of State removed Trump from the state's 2024 primary ballot due to alleged involvement in the Capitol riot.
  2. There is disputed evidence on whether the Capitol incident was a coup attempt linked to Trump, according to some prosecutors and commentators.
  3. Nonprofit organizations are accused of using government ties and funding from sources like Soros to influence democracy.

The rules for destroying a liberal democracy, revisited

The Cosmopolitan Globalist • 35 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Democracy Authoritarianism Populism Political strategy Election Integrity
  1. To weaken a democracy, create distrust in leaders and institutions. If people stop believing in them, it makes it easier to control what happens.
  2. Use fear and division to rally supporters. If you can make people afraid of 'the other,' they might follow you blindly.
  3. Change the rules to stay in power. If necessary, manipulate laws and elections so that you or your party can never lose.

Democracy in Ohio

Thinking about... • 163 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Voting Rights Democracy Legislation Partisanship
  1. Ohio voters have a chance to support democracy by voting yes on Issue 1, which aims to stop gerrymandering and promote fair electoral maps. This means that everyone’s vote will carry more weight.
  2. Gerrymandering creates unfair electoral districts that favor those already in power, leading to a lack of real competition in elections. This frustration can make people feel like their votes don't matter.
  3. Opponents of Issue 1 are using confusing and misleading language to trick voters into thinking the measure is bad. It's important for voters to understand the truth to ensure fair representation in Ohio.

Democracies, Dr. Putin Will See You Now

Surfing the Future • 139 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Democracy Authoritarianism Repression Sustainability Election interference
  1. Democracy is facing challenges globally, with a recurring pattern of decline observed in capitalism, democracy, and sustainability.
  2. Existential shocks are needed to reshape assumptions in the realms of Democracy and Sustainability.
  3. Leaders like Putin in power for long periods exhibit authoritarian tendencies, highlighting the need to revamp democratic systems.
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Lines in the sand

The Watch • 550 implied HN points • 14 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Authoritarianism Democracy Civil Rights Political Discourse
  1. The Republican Party and Donald Trump are showing signs of embracing authoritarianism at an alarming rate.
  2. Concerns about Trump's disregard for democratic norms have shifted from being dismissed as exaggeration to becoming a mainstream issue.
  3. It's important to challenge individuals in power, regardless of their political affiliation, about their stances on authoritarianism and threats to democracy.

A Tribute to Saint Alexei, Patron Saint of Liberal Democracy

Fisted by Foucault • 393 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Democracy Russia Murder Liberalism Dictatorship
  1. Saint Alexei, a figure representing liberal democracy, faced challenges in his past but ultimately embraced the principles and mission of liberal democracy, symbolizing a transformation and dedication to the cause.
  2. The narrative highlights the conflict between Saint Alexei and Russian leaders, shedding light on the struggle for liberal democracy in a political environment filled with corruption and oppression.
  3. The portrayal of Saint Alexei as a hero and martyr underscores the importance of his mission to bring liberal democracy to Russia and the sacrifices made by individuals in this pursuit.

Discomforting Political Admiration

The Joyous Struggle • 375 implied HN points • 11 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Politics Interview Policy Podcast Democracy
  1. The author examines their admiration for a conservative thinker, Rory Stewart, despite their own social democratic background, highlighting the complexity of political views and personal beliefs.
  2. Rory Stewart's unique blend of experiences, from academia to politics to charitable work, offers valuable insights that challenge traditional political boundaries and encourage reevaluation of societal values.
  3. The interview with Rory Stewart reflects a broader shift in political discourse, exploring contrasts between old and new political ideologies, unveiling tensions between incremental change and the need for more profound societal transformation.

Freedom and safety

Thinking about... • 172 implied HN points • 18 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Democracy Elections International relations Civic engagement
  1. Ukrainians are fighting for their freedom and defending democracy, helping to maintain global stability. Their courage allows other countries to focus on their own issues while they bear the burden of the fight.
  2. Supporting Ukraine through donations or by voting for pro-Ukrainian candidates is crucial. Even small contributions can make a big difference in helping them feel safer and more secure.
  3. Democracy is about cooperating and caring for others, not just arguing for our own beliefs. By working together and helping one another, we can all create a world where everyone has more freedom.

BOBI WINE: THE PEOPLE'S PRESIDENT

The Nelson George Mixtape • 176 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Activism Documentary Dictatorship Democracy Global Politics
  1. The film 'Bobi Wine: The People's President' documents his struggle to democratically oust Uganda's corrupt leader Yoweri Museveni.
  2. The story shows Bobi Wine's transformation from popular performer to Presidential candidate over a decade.
  3. The film highlights the importance of faith in democracy, lessons for Americans, and the energy of young people globally.

December 6, 2024

Letters from an American • 23 implied HN points • 07 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political History War history Democracy Fascism Civil Rights
  1. Doris Miller showed incredible courage during the Pearl Harbor attack, stepping up to serve and protect others despite his lack of training in combat. He became a symbol of bravery and equality.
  2. The fight during World War II was not just against fascism but also for democracy and equality as stated in the Declaration of Independence. Many diverse groups fought together to defend these ideals.
  3. Today, there are concerns that democracy is once again under threat by leaders who aim to impose their will and suppress others. It's important to recognize the value of equality and stand against such actions.

Years Of Planning Behind Democrats’ Turn Against Democracy

Public • 480 implied HN points • 20 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Media Partisanship Democracy Trump presidency
  1. Democrats were behind an effort to prevent Trump from running for president in Colorado based on insurrection claims.
  2. The argument that Trump is a unique threat to democracy lacks substantial evidence.
  3. The adversarial relationship between the media and Trump actually benefited democracy by ensuring scrutiny and accountability.

Import AI 325: Automated mad science; AI vs democracy; and a 12B parameter language model

Import AI • 419 implied HN points • 17 Apr 23
🕹 Technology AI Democracy Language Models Robotics Legal analysis
  1. Prompt injection could be a major security risk in AI systems, making them vulnerable to unintended actions and compromising user privacy.
  2. The concentration of AI development in private companies poses a threat to democracy, as these language models encode the normative intentions of their creators without democratic oversight.
  3. The rapid race to build 'god-like AI' in the private sector is raising concerns about the lack of understanding and oversight, with experts warning about potential dangers to humanity.

The Big Lie Is Getting Told (Again)

Slack Tide by Matt Labash • 142 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Democracy Political parties Political Behavior Public Opinion
  1. The upcoming election seems very tight, and there is a good chance for disagreement no matter who wins. Many people feel anxious about what the outcome might mean for the country.
  2. If Trump wins, there may be chaos and false claims about fraud, but even if he loses, the belief that elections are unfair can hurt democracy. Trust in the process is crucial for everyone.
  3. The election isn't just about candidates but about the country's acceptance of its democratic values. Failing to respect the system can lead to serious consequences for democracy as a whole.

10 reasons to be optimistic about Greece

The Greek Analyst • 539 implied HN points • 17 Feb 23
🌍 World Politics Democracy Rule of Law Corruption Human Development Trade
  1. Greece has seen improvements in democracy, with positive attitudes among citizens and a better Rule of Law index score since 2015.
  2. Perceived corruption in Greece has been decreasing, with the country reaching its best rating in the Corruption Perception Index in over a decade.
  3. Greece's human development, gender disparities, economic freedom, innovation levels, unemployment rate, trade openness, and foreign direct investment are all showing positive trends, indicating a promising future.

Beware the Weak Man

Thinking about... • 538 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Leadership Democracy Republicans Fear
  1. Identify weak men by their actions, like avoiding real issues and spreading fear rather than facing challenges head-on
  2. Weak men consume the energy of others, pushing for inaction, spread fear, and normalize fear in institutions, leading to harmful consequences
  3. Courage is essential in times of crisis, like supporting Ukraine and democracy, and standing up against the weak men who drive a politics of fear

If Greenland Becomes a State, DC Will DEFINITELY Become a State, Right?

I Might Be Wrong • 9 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Representation Democracy Public Policy
  1. If Greenland were to become a state, it wouldn't make sense for it to be prioritized over Washington, DC and Puerto Rico, which have larger populations and are already part of the U.S.
  2. Washington, DC has been paying federal taxes and has served in the military, showing a solid commitment that supports its case for statehood.
  3. Many of the arguments against DC and Puerto Rico becoming states seem politically motivated, rather than based on fair criteria, as these areas meet basic requirements for statehood.

You Can't Eat Democracy

An Africanist Perspective • 356 implied HN points • 16 Jan 23
🌍 World Politics Democracy Political institutions Public Services
  1. Voters prioritize material outcomes in democracies. If democracies cannot address citizens' needs and improve their material conditions, they risk collapse.
  2. African democracies are facing challenges in delivering on their promises, leading to a decline in voter satisfaction with democracy, reflecting in part an erosion of legitimacy.
  3. To make democracy work in African states, it is essential to focus on building effective states beyond just electoral processes, align democracy with material motivations, and embrace the idea of decentralized and developmentalist democracy.

Lost in Translation: Overcoming Language Barriers for Opportunity

American Inequality • 294 implied HN points • 23 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Employment Education Voting Rights Democracy
  1. Millions of Americans face barriers in employment, healthcare, and education due to low-English proficiency.
  2. English-only exams and systems perpetuate inequality and hinder academic achievement for non-native English speakers.
  3. Language barriers affect voting rights, and updating language requirements can increase democratic participation.

Exciting News!

Study Marry Kill • 294 implied HN points • 03 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Democracy
  1. Celebrating America's 250th birthday is an opportunity for reflection and reimagining patriotism.
  2. The project 'How Should a President Be' aims to spark a national conversation about the presidency.
  3. The Us@250 fellowship focuses on themes of pride, reckoning, and aspiration for a more inclusive democracy.

Capitalism unchained

Global Inequality and More 3.0 • 830 implied HN points • 04 May 23
🌍 World Politics Capitalism Democracy Authoritarianism Socialism Fascism
  1. Democracy does not necessarily come with capitalism and may even be destroyed by it.
  2. Unbridled capitalism leads to social instability empowering right-wing parties.
  3. Success of Western capitalism in mid-20th century was influenced by pressure from Soviet Union and left-wing parties, which led to a period against normal capitalist tendencies.

December 7, 2024

Letters from an American • 18 implied HN points • 08 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Democracy Elections Political theory Governance Social Issues
  1. Barack Obama emphasizes that pluralism in democracy means working together with people who are different from us. It's not just about tolerance but creating alliances to tackle common issues.
  2. Obama explains that the U.S. Constitution supports pluralism by allowing diverse groups to negotiate and share power. This system helps protect minority rights and encourages collaboration.
  3. When faced with political challenges, Obama believes it's crucial to stand firm and seek support from unexpected allies. Common experiences and values can help bridge divides and rebuild trust in democracy.

Hammering Trudeau won't build a better house

History's Parrot • 157 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Political Systems Democracy Media Ideologies Geopolitics
  1. Focusing on criticizing leaders like Trudeau isn't as effective as addressing the actual problems in society
  2. Mainstream media often fails to provide meaningful and insightful coverage, focusing on surface-level issues rather than deeper truths
  3. Current political systems are influenced by harmful ideologies, affecting democracy and the integrity of political parties

Oh, how wonderful it is to live in an extremely democratic state like Germany, where the police will never harass you or fine you or raid your house for criticising the government

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 275 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Democracy Freedom of Speech Political criticism Authoritarianism Government Control
  1. Germany embraces freedom of expression with its constitution protecting the right to criticize the government openly.
  2. The authorities in Germany respect the freedom to criticize the government, evident by cases of protest signs targeting political figures and police interventions.
  3. While there are limits, Germany promotes an open democratic discourse, allowing criticism of politicians without fear of severe consequences.

December 3, 2024

Letters from an American • 19 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Democracy Coup Public Reaction Political Opposition Media Coverage
  1. South Koreans stood up against an attempted self-coup by President Yoon. They showed their strong commitment to democracy by protesting and taking swift action to overturn his martial law declaration.
  2. The situation highlighted how quickly people can mobilize against threats to their rights. Ordinary citizens and politicians worked together to protect their democratic values.
  3. This event also showed the importance of social media in spreading news and organizing resistance. Platforms like Bluesky became vital in sharing updates and rallying support during this crisis.

"Civic Friendship": The Baseline Requirement for Democracy, & Incompatible with the Financial Flows Underpinning the Republican Ecology

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 484 implied HN points • 25 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Democracy Partisan Politics Political History Republican party
  1. Democracies survive with civic friendship, treating each other as companions and helpers.
  2. Republicans have followed a path of arousing fear and scorn to win, breaking the civic bargain.
  3. Neoliberal policies following the Reagan Revolution failed, leading to societal and economic decline.

A Profit-Seeking Government?

In My Tribe • 425 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Democracy Corruption Political parties Lobbying
  1. Government can be categorized into Limited-Access (L) and Open-Access (O) Orders based on who is allowed to form significant organizations.
  2. In Limited-Access Orders (L), the ruling coalition can extract resources and form organizations, while in Open-Access Orders (O), citizens have the right to form political parties and corporations independently.
  3. Profit-seeking government tends to align with one-party government and can lead to corruption and favoritism, making a competitive, open-access order preferable.

How to know if CNN’s Trump town hall succeeds

steveinskeep • 255 implied HN points • 10 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Coverage Interviewing Political Figures Presidential candidates Democracy
  1. Interviewing political figures like Trump is necessary for coverage and can help understand their message to followers.
  2. Consideration is needed on how to cover a political figure like Trump, balancing live interviews with proper context and clarification.
  3. Media coverage of political figures needs to be proportional, providing a variety of voices and sources to avoid dominance by any one candidate.

November 30, 2024

Letters from an American • 19 implied HN points • 01 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political theory Democracy Elections Governance
  1. The fight to strengthen liberal democracy is more important than just battling the far right. This is about ensuring everyone's rights and protecting our democracy.
  2. Historically, American leaders sought a balance where government plays a role in protecting individuals from the actions of powerful interests. This became even more important as society evolved.
  3. Movement Conservatives have shifted how Americans view government, framing it as a threat to individual rights. In reality, a strong government is needed to protect those rights and ensure fairness for all.

Get Out the Vote for Ukraine

Thinking about... • 121 implied HN points • 15 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Democracy Foreign Policy Activism International relations
  1. Voting in the upcoming US election is important for supporting democracy in Ukraine. The choices made in America can affect Ukraine's future and its struggle against the Russian invasion.
  2. Ukrainian resistance is seen as a key sign of democratic strength in the current decade. Their fight has allowed others, including Americans, to recover from crises and participate in democratic processes.
  3. The livestream event with Liev Schreiber aims to raise awareness about Ukraine and encourage people to vote. Schreiber’s involvement brings more attention to the Ukrainian situation and the need for democratic participation.

November 3, 2024

Letters from an American • 29 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections History Democracy Political parties Social movements
  1. History shows that small groups can seize power, but ordinary people can rise up and reclaim democracy. We need to remember that average citizens have the strength to push back against injustice.
  2. The fight for democracy is ongoing. Just like in the past, it's important to unite and defend our rights, creating coalitions to stand against those who want to take away our freedoms.
  3. We have a choice in shaping the future of our democracy. It's up to each of us to decide whether we will support those who believe in equality or those who want to rule over others.