International Development News, Features, and Opinions
I. Introduction
Just before the January 2024 Democratic primary in New Hampshire, thousands of voters received an unusual phone call from what sounded like President Joe Biden telling them to “save your vote for the November election.” But the call … Continue reading
At first glance, social media appears to be democracy’s ally. It connects people across continents, empowers users to speak out, and gives activists a global platform. But behind the likes, shares, and trending hashtags lies a far more complicated and … Continue reading
This month, Mexico became the first country in the world to hold nationwide elections for judicial positions— a major shift from the long-standing previous system where Congress appointed judges. Framed as a democratic milestone by the Morena party, the reform … Continue reading
Anti-feminist and incel ideologies have moved from fringe internet spaces into the heart of South Korean politics, fueled by economic frustration and gender resentment. Politicians have now weaponized male discontent, sidelined feminist discourse, and turned institutions like the Ministry of
In recent years, the rise of Hindutva extremism in India has reshaped the country’s democratic foundations, mirroring the ethnonationalist strategies employed by Israel to justify settler-colonialism and systemic oppression. This article examines how India, long mythologized as a secular democracy, … Continue reading
Sound as a weapon. It might seem improbable at first, yet in Lebanon, countless residents have lived with the unsettling roar of overhead fighter jets, the persistent hums of drones, and the jarring crash of sonic booms for decades. Families … Continue reading
From the first days of its establishment, South Korea’s government has been haunted by political scandals that have shaken the nation to its core. Presidents once hailed as heroes of independence became symbols of corruption and authoritarian rule. What begins … Continue reading
An ideological shift is reshaping Western democracies. This transformation is not limited to electoral politics but extends to broader changes in governance, social values, and international relations. While much of the focus has been on Western nations, this shift has … Continue reading
While internet memes are often dismissed as harmless entertainment, their humorous nature frequently masks a more troubling reality: they are constructed from symbolic forms — language, images, gestures, and sounds — that are deeply embedded in cultural systems of domination. … Continue reading
In December 2023, Javier Milei, a former economist and self-proclaimed ‘anarcho-capitalist,’ took office as president of Argentina, vowing to dismantle government control, slash public spending, and let free-market forces dictate the economy’s course. Rising to power on a wave of … Continue reading
