Democracy IDEAs

Taiwan: China's misinformation campaigns have become more subtle

International IDEA’s Anna Dziedzic spoke to Dr Yu Jie Chen to hear her reflections on the 2024 Taiwanese elections. They discuss the implications of the new status quo – in which neither of the two major parties hold a majority of legislature seats – and the increasingly sophisticated ways that Beijing seeks to influence Taiwan’s elections. Dr Yu Jie Chen is an Assistant Research Professor at Academia Sinica in Taiwan and an Affiliated scholar of the US-Asia Law Institute of New York Univers...

Daniel Zovatto: “Hay que repensar la democracia”

Kevin Casas-Zamora, secretario general de IDEA Internacional y Daniel Zovatto, el director regional de IDEA Internacional en América Latina y el Caribe conversan sobre la evolución de la democracia en la región, los retos de la democracia y cuál debería ser la proyección de IDEA Internacional hacia el futuro.  Daniel Zovatto ha sido durante 26 años el director de IDEA Internacional en América Latina. En enero de 2024, será sustituido por Marcela Ríos Tobar. Este podcast es una conversación ...

Thailand: A decade of struggling for the return to democracy

The 'Global State of Democracy 2023 Report – The New Checks and Balances' highlighted that there are trends of contraction around the world, but also bright spots of hope. A day after International IDEA’s #GSoD2023 Global Launch event, Marcus Brand, Head of International IDEA’s Myanmar Programme talked to Kunthida Rungruengkiat, Director of the Progressive Movement Foundation about the state of democracy in Thailand. Is Thailand an example of contracting democracy? Is it even a democratic s...

Legitimult: Making democracy crisis-proof

Drawing from the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic the LEGITIMULT (Legitimate Crisis Governance in Multilevel Systems) project  aims to identify a model of political legitimate crisis governance that takes into account the interplay between international, national, regional and local governments and institutions. Its guiding research question “Which conditions contribute to democratically legitimate crisis governance?” will allow governments and policy makers to better face the crises of the...

Claroscuros de la democracia en América Latina

Hace 45 años de que la tercera ola de la democracia bañara las costas de América Latina. Se perciben grandes avances, y hoy las elecciones competitivas son la regla en la región, a excepción de Cuba, Nicaragua y Venezuela.  Sin embargo, la última década ha traído un descontento generalizado con la democracia, que en ocasiones da paso a que triunfe el canto de sirenas del populismo autoritario. Este podcast explica cuáles son los retos de la democracia en la región y qué podemos hacer como c...

Artificial intelligence and democracy

The prevailing view is that with primarily human-generated content, democracy has suffered widespread erosion due to the proliferation of misinformation and the manipulation of specific narratives that enhance polarization. To what extent can the growth of massive content creation thanks to artificial intelligence (AI) deepen democracy erosion? What tools are at our disposal to protect democracy from AI threats?  International IDEA's Communications Officer, Yasnaya Guibert, talks to Alberto...

Martin Wolf: The Crisis of Democratic Capitalism

A conversation between International IDEA's Secretary-General, Kevin Casas-Zamora and Martin Wolf, the author of the recently published book The Crisis of Democratic Capitalism. Martin Wolf is chief economics commentator at the Financial Times, and one of the world’s most respected journalists, with his columns read eagerly by policymakers and the public around the world. He was awarded the Commander of the British Empire in 2000 “for services to financial journalism”. His latest book The C...

Elections during Times of Crisis

In this joint International IDEA and Electoral Integrity Project episode on ‘Elections during Times of Crisis’, Therese Pearce-Laanela speaks with the authors of a new book ‘Elections during Emergencies and Crises: Lessons for Electoral Integrity from the Covid-19 Pandemic’.  Guests:  Toby S. James, Professor of Politics and Public Policy, the University of East Anglia, UK.  Alistair Clark, Professor in Politics, the University of Newcastle, UK.  Erik Asplund, Senior Programme Officer, E...

Chile’s constitution-building process

The ongoing 2023 constitution-building process in Chile, and its relationship with the failed 2021-2022 constitution-building process. Guests Isabel Aninat: Dean of the Law School, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, and member of International IDEA´s Board of Advisors Javier Couso: Public Law Professor, Universidad Diego Portales, and Utrecht University Background Reading: https://constitutionnet.org/country/constitutional-history-chile

Afghanistan, the Taliban and their stance on constitutions and laws

A conversation between International IDEA's Head of Communications and Knowledge Management, Alistair Scrutton and the authors of the recently published report "The Constitution and Laws of the Taliban 1994-2001: Hints from the Past and Options for the Future", M. Bashir Mobasher, Shamshad Pasarlay and Mohammad Qadam Shah. Guests: M. Bashir Mobasher, postdoctoral fellow at the American University’s Department of Sociology Shamshad Pasarlay is a visiting lecturer at the University of Chica...

Nothing for us without us - Alison Anitawaru Cole on the unique climate change response in Aotearoa NZ

Alison Anitawaru Cole, a lawyer in Aotearoa New Zealand, talks to International IDEA's Regional Communications Officer for the Asia and the Pacific, Billie Phillips, about the unique legal and constitutional responses to climate change in New Zealand and the influence of Māori perspectives on environmentalism and representation.  Guest: Alison Anitawaru Cole - Kaiwhakahaere Matua Māori General Manager at the Climate Change Commission (New Zealand) Background Reading: COP26 delegate: Treaty...

Lowering the voting age – should young people head to the polls?

Calls to enfranchise people as young as sixteen are growing around the world, with some countries already adjusting the vote to align with the national age of employment, taxation, and military service.  In Australia, common consensus is lagging but some experts believe it is only a matter of time. From the sidelines of the Australian National University’s APSA conference, Billie Phillips spoke to Professor Lisa Hill about the growing movement. Guest: Professor Lisa Hill, University of Ade...

A Survival Guide for Democracy… and the Planet: with author and sustainability analyst Owen Gaffney

Owen Gaffney talks to International IDEA's Head of Communications, Alistair Scrutton about  climate change, sustainability and the future of our planet, joining a lot of dotted lines between politics, technology and science. Owen Gaffney is a writer, editor, and global sustainability analyst, co-author of the recently-published Earth For All: A Survival Guide for Humanity. He has formerly worked for the Stockholm Resilience Centre and Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, and has ...

Where is democracy heading in Latin America?

The storming of Brazil’s Congress and Supreme Court as well as the deadly anti-government protests in Peru underline the challenges facing democracy in Latin America. Why are the legitimacy of governments being questioned? What is behind the increasing political polarization of the region? And are their grounds anywhere for optimism?  International IDEA's Head of Communications and Knowledge Management, Alistair Scrutton , talks to Kevin Casas Zamora, Secretary General of International IDEA.

Peer to Peer: How natural disasters affected the 2010 elections in Haiti

In this episode of Peer-to-Peer, we speak with David Towriss and Atsuko Hirakawa to learn more about compounding crises, and the effect of a Richter Scale-7 earthquake on an already vulnerable Haiti, Hurricane Tomas, and a cholera outbreak in Haiti and their postponed elections in 2010. This conversation is based on International IDEA’s case study but also Atsuko’s experience and knowledge on how Haiti’s election administrators implemented their 2016 elections after Hurricane Matthew.   Gue...

Peer-to-Peer: The impact of cyclones on Mozambique elections

In this episode of Peer-to-Peer, we speak to Miguel de Brito and Domingos de Rosaria about cyclones Idai and Kenneth and their impact on Mozambique’s 2019 Presidential, Legislative and Provincial elections. This was the first time in recorded history that two strong tropical cyclones hit Mozambique during the same season. This conversation is based on International IDEA’s case study on how the two cyclones devastated the country and specifically how it impacted the electoral process, as well...

Is climate change too big a challenge for the United Nations?

What has been the state of global democracy in 2022?

International IDEA’s Global State of Democracy 2022 Report has been published. Report Editor and International IDEA's Head of Democracy Assessment, Seema Shah, provides an overview of the findings. Democracy is in decline around the world, undermined by problems ranging from restrictions on freedom of expression to distrust in the legitimacy of elections. This decline comes as elected leaders face unprecedented challenges from Russia’s war in Ukraine, cost of living crises, a looming global ...

Peer-to-Peer: The impact of wildfires on US elections

In our first episode of the new season of Peer-to-Peer, we speak with Sarah Birch and Jeff Fischer to learn more about the effect of wildfires on elections in California. The conversation is based on an International IDEA case study that focuses on the impact of wildfires on the 2016 and 2018 electoral cycles but also on the steps taken by election administrators to protecting elections. The discussion also centres on the increased vulnerability of the United States and its election cycles t...

Peer-to-Peer: The impact of wildfires on US elections

In our first episode of the new season of Peer-to-Peer, we speak with Sarah Birch and Jeff Fischer to learn more about the effect of wildfires on elections in California. The conversation is based on an International IDEA case study that focuses on the impact of wildfires on the 2016 and 2018 electoral cycles but also on the steps taken by election administrators to protecting elections. The discussion also centres on the increased vulnerability of the United States and its election cycles t...

Peer-to-Peer Trailer: The impact of natural disasters on elections

This season, International IDEA will explore the effects of climate change in the form of extreme weather events, as well as other natural hazards, that cause both slow and rapid onset disasters, on the implementation of elections. Natural hazards can cause elections to be postponed, impact electoral operations, affect campaigns, and voter turnout. With evidence that climate change may cause extreme weather events to become more intense and common, election practitioners must begin to prepar...

Peer-to-Peer Trailer: The impact of natural disasters on elections

This season, International IDEA will explore the effects of climate change in the form of extreme weather events, as well as other natural hazards, that cause both slow and rapid onset disasters, on the implementation of elections. Natural hazards can cause elections to be postponed, impact electoral operations, affect campaigns, and voter turnout. With evidence that climate change may cause extreme weather events to become more intense and common, election practitioners must begin to prepar...

Battling climate change with the rule of law

Across Africa, civil society is using the courts to protect the environment from governments and companies. It is part of a wider campaign for climate justice in the continent that has brought together both elder and younger generations as well as social media. Lawyer and activist Lindlyn Moma has first-hand experience of the transformation happening on the ground. Guest: Lindlyn Moma, Human Rights Lawyer and Environmental Activist

How Australia’s EMBs train their electoral officials and educate their youth

Against a background of deteriorating informational environments, falling trust in state institutions and growing electoral result disputation, electoral processes and those who administer them are increasingly being placed under the microscope. Ensuring that the integrity of elections withstand such scrutiny and that voters remain informed and engaged falls largely to election trainers and educators, and it is their vital work that is the focus of the first series of Peer-to-Peer, Internati...

Nigeria’s 2020 Gubernatorial Elections – Conducting electoral training during the Covid-19 pandemic

Against a background of deteriorating informational environments, falling trust in state institutions and growing electoral result disputation, electoral processes and those who administer them are increasingly being placed under the microscope. Ensuring that the integrity of elections withstand such scrutiny and that voters remain informed and engaged falls largely to election trainers and educators, and it is their vital work that is the focus of the first series of Peer-to-Peer, Internati...

UK 2021 Local Elections – The role of the Association of Electoral Administrators

Against a background of deteriorating informational environments, falling trust in state institutions and growing electoral result disputation, electoral processes and those who administer them are increasingly being placed under the microscope. Ensuring that the integrity of elections withstand such scrutiny and that voters remain informed and engaged falls largely to election trainers and educators, and it is their vital work that is the focus of the first series of Peer-to-Peer, Internati...

Moldova 2021 Parliamentary Elections – The role of the Center for Continuous Electoral Training

Against a background of deteriorating informational environments, falling trust in state institutions and growing electoral result disputation, electoral processes and those who administer them are increasingly being placed under the microscope. Ensuring that the integrity of elections withstand such scrutiny and that voters remain informed and engaged falls largely to election trainers and educators, and it is their vital work that is the focus of the first series of Peer-to-Peer, Internati...

Peru 2021 General Elections - Training the frontlines and informing the public

Against a background of deteriorating informational environments, falling trust in state institutions and growing electoral result disputation, electoral processes and those who administer them are increasingly being placed under the microscope.  Ensuring that the integrity of elections withstand such scrutiny and that voters remain informed and engaged falls largely to election trainers and educators, and it is their vital work that is the focus of Peer-to-Peer, International IDEA’s new el...

What is the global status on gender equality in democracy?

Gender inequalities and marginalisation of segments of societies remain a persistent challenge in democracy building across all regions of the world. What measures have been taken to promote gender equality in democracy building processes—on political participation and representation (political parties, parliaments, local government councils), constitution building, electoral processes? What are the pros and cons of gender quotas? What is the largest challenge to gender equality globally? T...

What is the global status on gender equality in democracy?

Gender inequalities and marginalisation of segments of societies remain a persistent challenge in democracy building across all regions of the world. What measures have been taken to promote gender equality in democracy building processes—on political participation and representation (political parties, parliaments, local government councils), constitution building, electoral processes? What are the pros and cons of gender quotas? What is the largest challenge to gender equality globally? T...

How will climate change impact on global democracy?

Climate change is the existential issue of our time. How will it affect how democracies function? Are democracies well placed to deal with the long term challenges presented by rising world temperatures? What will be the impact of climate change on regional security and conflict? HOST: Kevin Casas-Zamora, Secretary-General of International IDEA GUEST:  Andrew Gilmour, Executive Director of the Berghof Foundation

How will climate change impact on global democracy?

Climate change is the existential issue of our time. How will it affect how democracies function? Are democracies well placed to deal with the long term challenges presented by rising world temperatures? What will be the impact of climate change on regional security and conflict? HOST: Kevin Casas-Zamora, Secretary-General of International IDEA GUEST:  Andrew Gilmour, Executive Director of the Berghof Foundation

How do we get more women in politics?

Across the world, women face challenges to participate in politics, from confronting hate speech to internal party obstacles and lack of subsidized maternity leave. What are the best ways to increase women’s participation in elections and within party politics? What has been the influence of the #MeToo movement?  Is it just about increasing the numbers of women in parliament? Host: Laura Thornton, International IDEA’s Head of Global Programs Guest: Birgitta Ohlsson, Sweden’s former EU and ...

A glimpse into the future of international election observation

Similar to elections and other democratic processes, the global COVID-19 pandemic has had significant impact on international election observation. In this podcast we discuss the changing nature of international election observation during and beyond the pandemic. Will election observation ever go back to the old normal? How was election observation changing even before the pandemic struck? Is the pandemic changing radically what was done or simply accelerating changes that were already unde...

Elections and pandemics: the case of Ebola

Mark McDowell, International IDEA's Country Director in Myanmar talks to Parvinder Singh, Senior Programme Manager - Elections at International IDEA Myanmar about his experience providing technical advice to the National Election Commission of Liberia during the elections of 2014, in the shadow of the nation's Ebola pandemic.   Host: Mark McDowell, International IDEA's Myanmar Country Director

"I do not see Hong Kong people backing down."

International IDEA’s Director for Asia and the Pacific Leena Rikkila Tamang spoke with lawyer Janet Pang about Hong Kong’s innovative protest methods in times of COVID-19 and about preparations for the September legislative council elections.  This podcast was recorded on the eve of China’s legislature passing the security law to cover Hong Kong.

COVID-19 and the diagnosis for democracy

Has the coronavirus, aside from having severe consequences for public health and the economy, also been detrimental for democracy? And if so, should we expect passing side effects or permanent damage?  In this podcast Dr Staffan I. Lindberg, the Director and Principal Investigator for Varieties of Democracy Institute at the University of Gothenburg and Dr Kevin Casas-Zamora, the Secretary-General of International IDEA, are discussing, deliberating and debating about the short and long-term ...

COVID-19 and the diagnosis for democracy

Has the coronavirus, aside from having severe consequences for public health and the economy, also been detrimental for democracy? And if so, should we expect passing side effects or permanent damage?  In this podcast Dr Staffan I. Lindberg, the Director and Principal Investigator for Varieties of Democracy Institute at the University of Gothenburg and Dr Kevin Casas-Zamora, the Secretary-General of International IDEA, are discussing, deliberating and debating about the short and long-term ...

Lawmaking in times of COVID-19

International IDEA’s Director of Global Programs Laura Thornton talks to Justin Wein, chief of staff of U.S. Congressman David Price about ways in which their office has adapted in the COVID-19 environment.  How have they conducted outreach, adjusted their communications strategy, managed casework, and participated in legislative activities and committee meetings?  Host: Laura Thornton, Director of Global Programs at International IDEA