The hottest Democracy Substack posts right now

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The apocalypse we choose

Thinking about... • 350 implied HN points • 03 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Conflict Democracy International relations Geopolitics Foreign Policy
  1. Mike Johnson's actions as Speaker of the House are enabling Russian aggression in Ukraine and risking turning the world towards tyranny
  2. Ukrainian resistance is crucial in halting genocide and preventing nuclear proliferation
  3. American assistance to Ukraine is essential in supporting democracy, preventing catastrophe, and maintaining global stability

Robert Paxton's Vichy France

Castalia • 219 implied HN points • 29 Aug 23
💾 History World War Fascism Totalitarianism Democracy
  1. Vichy France was formed after France fell to Germany in 1940, and many French people thought it was an embarrassing part of their history. However, Robert Paxton showed that Vichy was more of a proactive choice rather than just a forced submission to Nazi demands.
  2. The Vichy regime gained popularity by promoting a vision of a united, family-centered society. Many people believed it was a chance to create a better country, despite the regime being deeply tied to fascist ideas.
  3. Paxton warns that democracies can fail when people lose faith in them, as seen in France during the 1930s. Illiberalism can rise when political groups become extreme and the center loses confidence, which can lead to the collapse of democratic systems without much notice.

What is Freedom of Speech, and Why Do We Cherish It?

THE FREEDOM BLOG • 98 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🚌 Education Freedom of Speech Democratic Values Communication Limitations Democracy
  1. Free speech is a core value of Western democracy and crucial for safeguarding other liberties.
  2. Speech is essential for participating in societal and political life, fostering friendship, rational inquiry, and statesmanship.
  3. Defending and promoting relatively free speech is crucial for upholding values like friendship, the pursuit of truth, artistic expression, and serving the common good.
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Goodbye to All That?

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 22 implied HN points • 03 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political Analysis Voting Rights Political Discourse Democracy
  1. Many people are feeling anxious and hopeful about the upcoming elections. Large numbers of women are voting, which could lead to unexpected results that may help protect democracy.
  2. The U.S. faces serious issues related to wealth inequality and a lack of collective meaning, leading many to feel betrayed by the system. This unrest can drive voters to extreme choices, affecting the future.
  3. There is a growing concern over political violence and the erosion of civil discourse in America. The dangerous rhetoric around elections raises fears about the stability of the political landscape and the potential for unrest.

Is more democracy the answer to our problems?

Theory Matters • 7 implied HN points • 05 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Democracy Elections Political theory Governance Public Opinion
  1. Democracy can lead to results that many people dislike, but it's important to accept those results to keep the system functioning. This acceptance is called 'loser’s acceptance' and is crucial for a healthy democracy.
  2. Some thinkers suggest that we need more democracy to solve problems, arguing that involving more people in the process allows for better representation of diverse opinions and issues.
  3. However, there are concerns about whether increasing participation can really fix democratic issues, especially if citizens are misinformed or disillusioned about the system, which could lead to instability.

The Great German Farmer Protests Have Begun

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 235 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Protests Government Media Extremism Democracy
  1. The Great German Farmer Protests have started after the government's budgetary decisions upset the farming community.
  2. The ruling coalition in Germany is facing severe dissatisfaction and lack of support from the public.
  3. The protests are being portrayed as potentially hijacked by right-wing groups, causing tension within the farming community.

federalism fixes this

bad cattitude • 179 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Democracy Federalism Legislation Senate
  1. In a free market, consumer choices provide valuable information to producers, leading to better products and services.
  2. Monopolies created by governments can disrupt market mechanisms like pricing signals and consumer sovereignty, resulting in inefficiencies.
  3. The 17th Amendment fundamentally changed the US government structure by shifting power away from states' representation in the Senate to direct election by the people, impacting federalism and democratic principles.

In the Midwest, Pre-Election, On Freedom

Thinking about... • 87 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Freedom Public Engagement Democracy Political Events
  1. The author is doing multiple events in the Midwest, including in Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois, to promote their book 'On Freedom'.
  2. They encourage people to attend these discussions and Q&A sessions, emphasizing a welcoming atmosphere.
  3. There are also options for virtual attendance for some events, making it accessible for more people to participate.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz calls for nationwide protests to defend democracy against the consequences of his own policies

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 216 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Democracy Protests European Union Germany Government
  1. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz calls for nationwide protests to defend democracy against the consequences of his own policies
  2. Approval ratings for the German government have fallen to all-time lows due to misrule and failure
  3. Anti-government protests erupted across Germany in response to dissatisfaction with the current leadership

Civilization and Its Distrusts

Earthly Fortunes • 176 implied HN points • 01 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Trust AI Impact Psychological Warfare Democracy
  1. Generative AI tools can be used as weapons to spread untruths and break the foundations of trust in society.
  2. Untruth campaigns have historically led to the downfall of nations, like the story of Guatemala in 1954.
  3. Trust is the foundation of society, and defending it from the constant barrage of untruths is crucial to prevent societal breakdown.

Political Science

Life in the 21st Century • 176 implied HN points • 02 May 23
🌍 World Politics Political Science Democracy Science Technology History
  1. Science and politics are intertwined, and there is a need to integrate scientific understanding into political decision-making.
  2. Democracy is about taking action and beginning something new, with every citizen playing a role in decision-making and implementation.
  3. The power to act in modern politics has shifted towards scientists and technologists, highlighting the importance of understanding the influence of science and technology in political systems.

From Infinite Progress to Delusional Despotism

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 15 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Democracy Political Ideologies Authoritarianism Environmental Policy
  1. Unlimited growth can't continue as our planet faces serious ecological problems. The idea that we can keep getting richer while harming the Earth isn't realistic anymore.
  2. Wealth is becoming concentrated in the hands of a few, and this can lead to a lack of understanding about the real issues because rich people may live in bubbles. Some billionaires are focusing more on their egos than on helping the planet.
  3. We have a choice to build a better future and move away from power that is held tightly by a few. There’s potential for a much better system where communities share resources and make decisions together.

Commentator

Castalia • 179 implied HN points • 13 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Democracy Populism Technocracy Political History International relations
  1. Alexei Navalny's recent writings focus on the mistakes of past democratic reforms in Russia, especially how some liberals supported election fraud in the 1990s, which contributed to the rise of autocracy under Putin.
  2. David Brooks discusses the growing divide between populist democracy and elite technocracy, suggesting that Democrats risk becoming disconnected from regular people by relying too heavily on technocratic solutions.
  3. The recent coup in Niger reflects broader geopolitical shifts, as former colonial powers like France struggle in Africa, while Russia and China are stepping in to fill the void, leading to a complex competition for influence.

The Impact of AI on Politics: A Critical Analysis

Rod’s Blog • 79 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics AI Election Impact Democracy Security
  1. AI offers opportunities like improving efficiency and transparency in politics, but it also poses challenges like privacy threats and misinformation risks.
  2. In a hypothetical scenario of the 2024 US election, AI could play a significant role from designing campaign strategies to counting votes.
  3. Combatting political disinformation requires critical thinking, diversity in sources, responsible sharing, and education on the issue.

Make America Hungary Again

Can We Still Govern? • 148 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Democracy Authoritarianism Media Control Higher education Bureaucracy
  1. The MAGA movement's admiration for Viktor Orban signifies a desire for authoritarianism over greatness, as demonstrated by Orban's undemocratic tactics in Hungary.
  2. Orban's success lies in his ability to consolidate power by controlling institutions like the media, judiciary, and higher education, mirroring patterns seen in the potential rise of American Orbanism.
  3. Orban's strategy includes increasing control over the bureaucracy to create a network of loyalists, leading to a corrupt system enabling his authoritarian rule, which American politicians are observing for potential application.

Is Bolsonaro responsible for the current state of affairs in Brazil?

O Observador de Corcyra • 157 implied HN points • 21 Aug 23
🌍 World Politics Brazil Government History Responsibility Democracy
  1. Blaming Bolsonaro for Brazil's current situation is a tempting narrative, but it doesn't withstand rigorous historical scrutiny.
  2. Each actor in history is responsible for their own actions, and voters are accountable for the consequences of their choices.
  3. The future of Brazil depends on the attitude of individuals and the political class, with opportunities for both prosperity and strengthening the legal system.

Germany opens citizenship to 1.5 million Turkish immigrants, then gets the vapours when Recep Erdoğan's "right-populist" and "authoritarian" AK Party reveals plans to establish a German offshoot

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 179 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Foreign Relations Migration Nationalism Democracy Human Rights
  1. Germany opened citizenship to 1.5 million Turkish immigrants, leading to concerns about the establishment of a German offshoot of Recep Erdoğan's AK Party
  2. The AK Party offshoot plans to fight for open borders and better social entitlements for people with foreign roots in Europe
  3. There is worry among German officials about the anti-democratic threats posed by the AK Party offshoot and the influence it may have on German politics

Global Civil War

Dana Blankenhorn: Facing the Future • 119 implied HN points • 08 Dec 23
🌍 World Politics Global Conflict Authoritarianism Democracy Economic Impact Nationalism
  1. The world is currently in a Global Civil War with conflicts between democracy, capitalism, and enforced unity.
  2. Despite economic prosperity, the pressure is on balancing between democratic pluralism and enforced conformity.
  3. The hope for 2024 lies in the economic forces favoring pluralism, despite the challenges posed by autocrats and fascist tendencies.

Is there nothing to be done? Are there no solutions at all? Are we really stuck in globalist mass-migrant climate freakout deindustrialisation rainbow hell world forever?

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 164 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Globalism Migration Democracy Liberalism Foreign Policy
  1. Mass migration due to lack of sensible border security measures
  2. Obsession with reducing industrial emissions impacts civilization
  3. Political elites prioritize global concerns over national interests

Thoughts On The Election Results

Spilled Coffee • 16 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Democracy Stock Market Economy Political parties
  1. Donald Trump is returning to the White House, and Republicans now control the Senate. The outcome makes some happy and others upset, but that’s how democracy works.
  2. Life goes on after elections; people still go to work and school, and the community remains the same. It's normal for neighbors to be different political supporters.
  3. The stock market and economy are not going to crash due to election results. History shows that both parties have their turn in power, and the country continues to move forward.

Sandbox Politics~Parliament is back!

History's Parrot • 58 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Neoliberalism Government Accountability Political parties Foreign Policy Democracy
  1. Governments must focus on addressing the underlying issues, not just the symptoms.
  2. Neoliberalism has marginalized governments in the West, leading to political redundancy and lack of accountability.
  3. Canada's political landscape is dominated by neoliberalism, resulting in a decline in democracy and the need for reform.

What I wrote in the New York Times about Trump's authoritarian plans

Can We Still Govern? • 172 implied HN points • 28 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Authoritarianism Government Presidential Power Public Services Democracy
  1. The stakes are high as Trump aims to transform the American government in an authoritarian direction.
  2. Trump's plan involves appointing loyalists, undermining career civil servants, and leveraging government resources for his personal and political gain.
  3. There is a serious threat to democracy if Trump's authoritarian blueprint succeeds, leading to a weaker government and dismantling of limits on presidential power.

All governments are based on violence but democracy brings that violence under the control of the people

Demodexio • 132 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Democracy Violence Dictatorship Judiciary
  1. All governments are based on violence, but democracy puts that violence under the control of the people.
  2. Liberal democracy adds extra checks to protect unpopular minorities from the majority's control of violence.
  3. Even in a democracy, the government's foundation is the threat of violence, although it's managed by laws and oversight for social benefit.

HOAs are really good, actually

Something to Consider • 119 implied HN points • 22 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Democracy Libertarianism Local Politics Property Rights
  1. Homeowners' Associations (HOAs) can be better than local governments because they allow residents to agree on rules that everyone follows, promoting cooperation. This means people can manage shared resources and maintain property values together.
  2. Many people choose to live in HOAs because they like the value and amenities these communities offer. Studies show that residents are willing to pay more for homes in these organized neighborhoods.
  3. Critics of HOAs often overlook that local governments can have similar restrictions, and people have a choice in whether to move into an HOA. This shows that voluntary agreements can work well for communities.