Macron Faces an Angry France Alone

President Emmanuel Macron saw his decision to push through a change in the retirement age as necessary, but the price may be high.

#age-chronological, #constitutions, #de-gaulle-charles, #democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #demonstrations-protests-and-riots, #elections, #france, #law-and-legislation, #macron-emmanuel-1977, #pensions-and-retirement-plans, #politics-and-government

Macron Pushes Through Law in France Raising Retirement Age

Lacking parliamentary support, the French president used a special measure to circumvent a vote, a step likely to further enrage opponents.

#berger-laurent, #borne-elisabeth, #budgets-and-budgeting, #democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #economic-conditions-and-trends, #french-democratic-confederation-of-labor, #law-and-legislation, #le-pen-marine, #legislatures-and-parliaments, #longevity, #macron-emmanuel-1977, #organized-labor, #pensions-and-retirement-plans, #politics-and-government, #retirement, #wages-and-salaries

Israeli Government Rejects President’s Judicial Compromise

President Isaac Herzog presented an outline he had hoped would calm the country and avert a constitutional crisis, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu immediately rejected the framework.

#courts-and-the-judiciary, #democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #demonstrations-protests-and-riots, #herzog-isaac, #israel, #lapid-yair, #law-and-legislation, #likud-party-israel, #netanyahu-benjamin, #politics-and-government, #speeches-and-statements

A Chinese Commonwealth? An Unpopular Idea Resurfaces in Taiwan.

The war in Ukraine is causing many Taiwanese to rethink their relationship with China.

#china, #communist-party-of-china, #defense-and-military-forces, #democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #democratic-progressive-party-taiwan, #economic-conditions-and-trends, #international-relations, #international-trade-and-world-market, #politics-and-government, #taipei-taiwan, #tsai-ing-wen, #united-states-international-relations

An Activist’s Flight Reveals Widening Repression in Algeria

Four years after a popular uprising fueled hopes for change and real democracy, the country’s government is using vaguely defined statutes to round up hundreds.

#algeria, #bouraoui-amira, #bouteflika-abdelaziz, #democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #demonstrations-protests-and-riots, #france, #freedom-of-speech-and-expression, #freedom-of-the-press, #human-rights-and-human-rights-violations, #international-relations, #political-prisoners, #politics-and-government, #tebboune-abdelmadjid, #united-nations

Disinformation Is Not the Real Problem With Democracy

Americans increasingly lack the information they need to participate in the political process.

#democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #internal-sub-only-nl, #news-and-news-media, #newspapers, #rumors-and-misinformation, #united-states

Protests and the Future of Democracy in Israel

A government plan to overhaul the Supreme Court has prompted some of the biggest demonstrations in the country’s history.

#audio-neutral-informative, #democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #demonstrations-protests-and-riots, #israel, #netanyahu-benjamin, #politics-and-government

Israel Judicial Overhaul: What Led to Protests of Netanyahu’s Plan

Israeli society is locked in a deep dispute over the future of its judiciary and democracy. The conflict is rooted in shifts of the last three decades.

#courts-and-the-judiciary, #democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #gaza-strip, #israel, #israeli-settlements, #law-and-legislation, #likud-party-israel, #netanyahu-benjamin, #orthodox-judaism, #politics-and-government

Americans Are Getting Too Used to This Form of Rule

Executive latitude is necessary in a democracy, but emergency government shouldn’t be a permanent system.

#democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #disasters-and-emergencies, #student-loans, #united-states-politics-and-government, #war-and-emergency-powers-us

As Judicial Plans Rock Israel, Secret Talks Seek Compromise

Benjamin Netanyahu’s plans to restrict judicial independence have divided Israel. But a small group of academics has met privately with lawmakers in a search for middle ground.

#courts-and-the-judiciary, #democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #demonstrations-protests-and-riots, #herzog-isaac, #israel, #jerusalem-israel, #legislatures-and-parliaments, #levin-yariv-1969, #netanyahu-benjamin, #politics-and-government

Más de 100.000 personas marchan en México contra el Plan B

Se registraron manifestaciones en más de un centenar de ciudades del país contra una serie de medidas que van a limitar a la autoridad electoral y que, según sus funcionarios, dificultará garantizar elecciones libres y justas.

#democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #demonstrations-protests-and-riots, #elections, #law-and-legislation, #lopez-obrador-andres-manuel, #mexico, #polls-and-public-opinion

Large Crowds Across Mexico Protest Overhaul of Election Watchdog

Demonstrations took place in over 100 cities against the recent overhaul of the country’s electoral watchdog, which officials say could make fair and free elections difficult.

#democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #demonstrations-protests-and-riots, #elections, #law-and-legislation, #lopez-obrador-andres-manuel, #mexico, #polls-and-public-opinion

In Nigeria’s Presidential Election, A Rare Chance to Turn the Corner

In Nigeria’s presidential election on Saturday, voters are desperate to elect a leader who can unleash their youthful country’s potential and chart a new course after years of dashed hopes.

#abubakar-atiku, #buhari-muhammadu, #democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #elections, #nigeria, #obi-peter-1961, #tinubu-bola-ahmed, #youth

What Ford’s Pardon of Nixon Means (and Doesn’t Mean) for Trump

A presidential prosecution could help restore national confidence in the judicial system.

#bragg-alvin, #cohen-michael-d-1966, #democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #ford-gerald-rudolph-jr, #iran-contra-affair, #justice-department, #mueller-robert-s-iii, #nixon-richard-milhous, #presidents-and-presidency-us, #reagan-ronald-wilson, #smith-jack-attorney, #special-prosecutors-independent-counsel, #storming-of-the-us-capitol-jan-2021, #trump-donald-j, #watergate-affair, #willis-fani-t

Why Ukraine Deserves Steadfast Support

One year since the Russian invasion, diplomacy has a chance only if Moscow accepts it can’t bring Kyiv to its knees, and the U.S. doesn’t waver.

#biden-joseph-r-jr, #democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #europe, #european-union, #foreign-aid, #putin-vladimir-v, #russian-invasion-of-ukraine-2022, #ukraine, #united-states-international-relations, #united-states-politics-and-government, #zelenko-vladimir

It’s Time to Prepare for a Possible Trump Indictment

We need to prepare for a first in our history as a nation: the possible criminal prosecution of a former president.

#clark-jeffrey-b-1967, #democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #fulton-county-ga, #georgia, #giuliani-rudolph-w, #house-select-committee-to-investigate-the-january-6th-attack, #justice-department, #meadows-mark-r-1959, #raffensperger-brad, #storming-of-the-us-capitol-jan-2021, #supreme-court-us, #trump-donald-j, #united-states, #united-states-politics-and-government, #voter-fraud-election-fraud

Brazil’s Lula to Meet Biden at the White House

President Biden hosts Brazil’s new president on Friday in a refresh of the countries’ relations. The two leaders agree on the Amazon but are split on Ukraine.

#amazon-jungle, #biden-joseph-r-jr, #bolsonaro-jair-1955, #brazil, #da-silva-luiz-inacio-lula, #democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #international-relations, #project-democracy, #putin-vladimir-v, #right-wing-extremism-and-alt-right, #rumors-and-misinformation, #russian-invasion-of-ukraine-2022, #united-states, #united-states-international-relations

The Relentless Attack on Trans People Is an Attack on All of Us

To deny equal respect and dignity to any part of the citizenry is to place the entire country on the road to tiered citizenship and limited rights.

#black-people, #democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #discrimination, #douglass-frederick, #gender, #homosexuality-and-bisexuality, #presidential-election-of-2024, #republican-party, #supreme-court-us, #transgender-and-transsexuals, #trump-donald-j, #united-states-politics-and-government, #womens-rights

How to Destroy (What’s Left of) the Mainstream Media’s Credibility

Objectivity is a hard standard, but good journalism can’t do without it.

#arizona-state-university, #democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #downie-leonard-jr, #news-and-news-media, #newspapers, #rumors-and-misinformation

There Are People Working on Getting Us to Hate Each Other Less. Is Their Quest Futile?

As the threat to democratic norms and procedures mount, there has been an explosion of research aimed at lowering the political temperature.

#christians-and-christianity, #democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #minorities, #polls-and-public-opinion, #presidential-election-of-2016, #presidential-election-of-2020, #research, #sociology, #storming-of-the-us-capitol-jan-2021, #trump-donald-j, #united-states-economy, #united-states-politics-and-government

Joe Biden Has a Bully Pulpit, and He Should Focus It on the Supreme Court

The president must be clear about what the court has done, and what it may yet do.

#alito-samuel-a-jr, #barrett-amy-coney, #biden-joseph-r-jr, #constitution-us, #democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #federal-courts-us, #gorsuch-neil-m, #house-of-representatives, #indian-child-welfare-act-1978, #kavanaugh-brett-m, #polls-and-public-opinion, #presidents-and-presidency-us, #regulation-and-deregulation-of-industry, #roberts-john-g-jr, #state-of-the-union-message-us, #supreme-court-us, #trump-donald-j, #united-states, #united-states-politics-and-government, #voting-rights-act-1965

Where American Democracy Isn’t Very Democratic

The problem of democracy and American law enforcement goes beyond questions of accountability.

#atlanta-ga, #criminal-justice, #democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #local-government, #police, #segregation-and-desegregation, #united-states, #urban-areas

The Police Cannot Be a Law Unto Themselves

Right now, the institution of American policing lies outside any meaningful democratic control.

#democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #demonstrations-protests-and-riots, #immunity-from-prosecution, #murders-attempted-murders-and-homicides, #nichols-tyre-d-2023, #police, #police-brutality-misconduct-and-shootings

Is Brazil’s Alexandre de Moraes Actually Good for Democracy?

Alexandre de Moraes, a Brazilian Supreme Court justice, was crucial to Brazil’s transfer of power. But his aggressive tactics are prompting debate: Can one go too far to fight the far right?

#bolsonaro-jair-1955, #brazil, #da-silva-luiz-inacio-lula, #democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #elections, #freedom-of-speech-and-expression, #moraes-alexandre-de-1968, #politics-and-government, #project-democracy, #right-wing-extremism-and-alt-right, #social-media

Which Leaders Resign, Like Jacinda Ardern? Often, the System Decides.

In parliamentary systems like New Zealand’s, it is the norm for leaders to step down when doing so may serve their party’s electoral prospects. In other political systems, leaving office early is rare.

#ardern-jacinda, #democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #legislatures-and-parliaments, #new-zealand, #politics-and-government

Why the Ranks of Populism Are Filled With ‘Nasty’ Characters

What does this constant brinkmanship and playing to the gallery do to democracy generally?

#democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #elections, #house-freedom-caucus, #house-of-representatives, #mccarthy-kevin-1965, #narcissism, #polls-and-public-opinion, #presidential-election-of-2020, #presidential-election-of-2024, #psychology-and-psychologists, #republican-party, #storming-of-the-us-capitol-jan-2021, #trump-donald-j, #united-states-politics-and-government

With 50 Dead in Peru, a Referendum on Democracy

Weeks after the ouster of a leftist president, persistent protests and a mounting death toll have exacerbated widespread disillusionment with the country’s young democracy.

#boluarte-dina, #democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #demonstrations-protests-and-riots, #peru, #politics-and-government, #puno-peru, #rural-areas

World Economic Forum in Davos Confronts a New Order

The Covid-19 pandemic, invasion of Ukraine, trend toward autocracy and economic inequalities challenge the World Economic Forum’s relevance.

#capitalism-theory-and-philosophy, #davos-switzerland, #democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #economic-conditions-and-trends, #global-warming, #high-net-worth-individuals, #international-trade-and-world-market, #nationalism-theory-and-philosophy, #putin-vladimir-v, #russian-invasion-of-ukraine-2022, #supply-chain

How a Mob Tried to Oust Brazil’s Lula

The storming of Brazil’s capital failed to overthrow the elected government. But an examination of the attack reveals how extremism is threatening Latin America’s largest democracy.

#bolsonaro-jair-1955, #brasilia-brazil, #brazil, #da-silva-luiz-inacio-lula, #democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #demonstrations-protests-and-riots, #elections, #fringe-groups-and-movements, #police, #politics-and-government, #project-democracy, #right-wing-extremism-and-alt-right, #social-media

Why Must We Go About Our Lives With an Eye on the Nearest Exit?

An “armed society” may or may not be a “polite society,” but it is far from being a democratic one.

#atlanta-ga, #decatur-ga, #democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #demonstrations-protests-and-riots, #firearms, #georgia, #gun-control, #school-shootings-and-armed-attacks, #supermarkets-and-grocery-stores

A Vital Question for Brazil’s Democracy: Where Were the Police?

Their early inaction in Sunday’s riot shows how security forces can help empower violence and deepen the threat to democracy.

#bolsonaro-jair-1955, #brasilia-brazil, #brazil, #coups-detat-and-attempted-coups-detat, #da-silva-luiz-inacio-lula, #democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #demonstrations-protests-and-riots, #police, #rousseff-dilma

The Party’s Over for Us. Where Do We Go Now?

Is the G.O.P. beyond hope for two conservatives?

#conservatism-us-politics, #democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #liberalism-us-politics, #presidents-and-presidency-us, #republican-party, #right-wing-extremism-and-alt-right, #united-states-politics-and-government

Brazil and Jan. 6

How Brazil’s riots compare to the Jan. 6 attack.

#bolsonaro-jair-1955, #brasilia-brazil, #brazil, #democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #demonstrations-protests-and-riots, #internal-storyline-no, #politics-and-government, #storming-of-the-us-capitol-jan-2021

What the Insurrectionists of 2021 and 2023 Have in Common

Extreme opposition to social insurance and the safety net is a natural fit for an authoritarian movement that tried to overturn the constitutional order.

#capitalism-theory-and-philosophy, #democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #federal-budget-us, #new-deal-1930s, #storming-of-the-us-capitol-jan-2021, #united-states-politics-and-government

Brazil’s Protests Resemble the US Capitol Attack on Jan. 6

Jair Bolsonaro, the right-wing former president of Brazil, had for months sought to undermine the results of an election that he lost, in much the same manner that Donald J. Trump did after his defeat in the 2020 presidential election.

#bolsonaro-jair-1955, #brasilia-brazil, #brazil, #democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #politics-and-government, #presidential-election-of-2020

If History Is Any Guide, McCarthy’s Chaotic House Speaker Vote Is Just the Beginning

Kevin McCarthy’s struggles are a sign of rupture for the G.O.P. — and trouble for the country.

#brown-john-1800-59, #democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #democratic-party, #house-of-representatives, #politics-and-government, #republican-party, #slavery-historical, #southern-states-us, #trump-donald-j, #united-states-politics-and-government

In a Hospital Ward, the Wounds of a Failed Democracy Don’t Heal

Tunisia’s road to democracy began with a self-immolation, and such cases have filled hospital burn wards ever since, as elected leaders failed to deliver on a promise of prosperity.

#bouazizi-mohamed, #democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #doctors, #economic-conditions-and-trends, #hospitals, #immolation, #internal-sub-only, #middle-east-and-north-africa-unrest-2010, #saied-kais-1958, #tunis-tunisia, #tunisia

What Will Last Year’s Wins Mean for Democracy

Last year’s democratic wins could have big implications.

#democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #elections, #international-relations, #politics-and-government

As Lula Becomes Brazil’s President, Bolsonaro Flees to Florida

Brazil inaugurates its new president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, on Sunday. Facing investigations, former President Jair Bolsonaro has taken refuge in Orlando.

#bolsonaro-jair-1955, #brasilia-brazil, #brazil, #da-silva-luiz-inacio-lula, #democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #elections, #florida, #moraes-alexandre-de-1968, #politics-and-government, #workersparty-brazil

Adam Schiff: Don’t Forget That Many Republicans in Congress Enabled Trump’s Big Lie

The Jan. 6 committee found that multiple laws were violated in an attempt to overturn the 2020 election, and not just by Donald Trump’s foot soldiers.

#attorneys-general, #barr-william-p, #cheney-liz, #constitution-us, #democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #donoghue-richard-p-1967, #law-and-legislation, #mccarthy-kevin-1965, #pelosi-nancy, #presidential-election-of-2020, #storming-of-the-us-capitol-jan-2021, #trump-donald-j, #united-states, #united-states-politics-and-government

Biden’s America Finds Its Voice

Zelensky reminds us of our timeless cause.

#biden-joseph-r-jr, #democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #international-relations, #russian-invasion-of-ukraine-2022, #ukraine, #united-states-politics-and-government, #zelensky-volodymyr

America Should Finish the Work the Jan. 6 Committee Started

Accountability is up to the Justice Department and American voters.

#democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #democratic-party, #federal-budget-us, #fringe-groups-and-movements, #house-of-representatives, #house-select-committee-to-investigate-the-january-6th-attack, #law-and-legislation, #midterm-elections-2022, #presidential-election-of-2020, #republican-party, #right-wing-extremism-and-alt-right, #state-legislatures, #storming-of-the-us-capitol-jan-2021, #treason-and-sedition, #united-states-politics-and-government

Was the World Collapsing? Or Were You Just Freaking Out?

In 2022, we debated the apocalypse.

#abortion, #anxiety-and-stress, #coronavirus-2019-ncov, #democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #economic-conditions-and-trends, #elections, #international-relations, #news-and-news-media, #russian-invasion-of-ukraine-2022, #shortages, #supreme-court-us, #united-states-economy, #war-crimes-genocide-and-crimes-against-humanity

With This Supreme Court, the Way Liberals Dissent Matters

The liberal justices should plead for — and thereby help legitimize — the imposition of external constraints on its powers.

#constitution-us, #courts-and-the-judiciary, #democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #ginsburg-ruth-bader, #jackson-ketanji-brown-1970, #kagan-elena, #law-and-legislation, #roberts-john-g-jr, #scalia-antonin, #sotomayor-sonia, #supreme-court-us, #thomas-clarence, #united-states, #united-states-politics-and-government

How to Imagine a Different America

The lost radicalism of Thomas Skidmore.

#constitutions, #democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #income-inequality, #jefferson-thomas, #thomas-skidmore, #united-states-economy

How Will History Remember Jan. 6?

History is not just what happened. It is the meaning we make out of what happened and the story we tell with that meaning.

#anti-semitism, #burns-ken, #civil-rights-movement-1954-68, #democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #demonstrations-protests-and-riots, #documentary-films-and-programs, #elections, #elections-house-of-representatives, #holocaust-and-the-nazi-era, #house-of-representatives, #house-select-committee-to-investigate-the-january-6th-attack, #maddow-rachel, #novick-lynn, #oath-keepers, #podcasts, #polls-and-public-opinion, #republican-party, #right-wing-extremism-and-alt-right, #spielberg-steven, #storming-of-the-us-capitol-jan-2021, #treason-and-sedition, #trump-donald-j

The Ideal of Democracy in a Jewish State Is in Jeopardy

Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is a threat to the democratic future of Israel.

#abbas-mahmoud, #appointments-and-executive-changes, #democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #elections, #international-relations, #israel, #jews-and-judaism, #netanyahu-benjamin, #palestinians, #politics-and-government, #right-wing-extremism-and-alt-right, #united-states-international-relations

Three Michigan Men Sentenced for Aiding Whitmer Kidnapping Plot

The men, who were convicted of aiding a plan to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, were given sentences that could put all three in prison for at least seven years.

#democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #firearms, #kidnapping-and-hostages, #michigan, #nessel-dana, #right-wing-extremism-and-alt-right, #terrorism, #whitmer-gretchen, #wolverine-watchmen

Does World Trade Promote Peace? Maybe Not.

Suddenly, interdependence doesn’t look quite as benign as we thought.

#democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #economics-theory-and-philosophy, #internal-sub-only-nl, #international-relations, #international-trade-and-world-market, #united-states-international-relations

Two Groups Quietly Spent $32 Million Rallying Voters Behind Voting Rights

The money largely went to state and local organizations that often focused on turning out young voters and people of color, including with messages about threats to freedom and democracy.

#arizona, #campaign-finance, #democracy-theory-and-philosophy, #michigan, #midterm-elections-2022, #project-democracy, #voting-and-voters, #wisconsin