Authoritarianism - Catalyst

The 2022 Beijing Olympics: China’s Tool to Consolidate Its Authoritarianism

February 25, 2022February 25, 2022 Ruolan Ma

More than a decade later, China has become even more powerful politically and economically, and Beijing became the only city in the world that held both summer and winter Olympics. However, the 2022 winter Olympics led to more drama than the 2008 summer Olympics, which was ignited by the long-standing debate on China's authoritarianism and suspected human rights violations.

The Myanmar Coup: An Interview With A Myanmar Citizen

March 23, 2021November 10, 2021 Ruolan Ma

To get a better sense of this incident on the ground, Catalyst interviewed a 28-year old Burmese citizen living in Yangon.

Reparative Conversations: Transitional Justice in Albania, an Interview with Kristale Ivezaj Rama

December 16, 2020November 10, 2021 Adriana Gabriela Franco

Rama believes this project is a “tiny seed” in the greater movement towards transitional justice, something those living in Albania need to be able to move forward. Limitations on free speech and an unstable economy are just some of the lasting effects of this period in Albania, and as Rama so eloquently put, the “people can’t think about the past if they are too preoccupied with the present and worry about their future”.

Latin America’s Weak Democracies During the COVID-19 Pandemic

November 23, 2020November 10, 2021 Ariana Castillon

With many being asked to stay at home and unable to look for work, one would think the governments would implement relief programs to keep the economy running and support people unable to work. While many governments did offer some kind of relief money or package to their citizens, it was a very small amount, and only to those in the most precarious situations. Rather than appeal to the people’s collective conscience, many governments’ first step was to solidify military support before addressing their people, with generals behind them as they imposed new restrictions.

The Legacy of American Exceptionalism and Contemporary Patterns of Authoritarianism

November 3, 2020November 10, 2021 Maeve Williams

President Trump has repeatedly refused to commit to accepting the results of a free and fair election. Not only do his words illustrate his deep disrespect for the central tenets of US democracy, they also raise serious concerns over what might occur if the incumbent refuses to accept defeat.