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Elections

May 8, 2023

Electoral reform is not a panacea to Zimbabwe’s democratic deficit

Gift Mwonzora Are electoral reforms the answer to a country's democratic deficit? Gift Mwonzora writes that elections should not be reduced to a mere ritualistic exercise. In Zimbabwe, only genuine political, legal, governance and administrative reforms will bring democratic success. Yet while electoral reforms are essential for credible elections, they are not the sole remedy for a competitive authoritarian regime's democratic deficits Read more
April 21, 2023

Bulgaria’s political impasse

Ildiko Otova Bulgaria has just held its fifth national election in two years. As in the previous four, there was no clear winner. The small lead for Citizens for the European Development of Bulgaria (GERB-SDS) resolves nothing. Indeed, argues Ildiko Otova, it probably renders political stability even more difficult to secure Read more
April 14, 2023

The 2023 Bulgarian elections: back to stagnation – but for how long?

Dragomir Stoyanov In Bulgaria, the fifth parliamentary elections in the last two years were held on 2 April. These snap elections, just like their predecessors, juxtaposed parties of the status quo with reformists. This time, however, writes Dragomir Stoyanov, the status quo prevailed Read more
March 30, 2023

The dilemma of postal voting

Miroslav Nemčok Postal voting is praised for its ability to lower the costs of electoral participation. However, Miroslav Nemčok and Johanna Peltoniemi argue that postal voting has its limits. If voters doubt their ballots will make it to the ballot box uncompromised, they are unlikely to exercise their democratic right Read more
January 20, 2023

The roots of political conflict in Peru

Alicia del Aguila As the political crisis in Peru worsens, Alicia del Aguila explores its roots. Key to understanding it are the political polarisation of recent years, tension between the Central and Southern Andes, and the historical marginalisation of indigenous people Read more
December 22, 2022

The 2022 American midterm elections: a return to common sense

José J. Sanmartín José J. Sanmartín explores the significance of last month's midterm elections in the US, detecting deep undercurrents at work in American politics. These, he says, will not only shape the next presidential election campaign. They may also determine the United States’ vision of itself in the longer term Read more
November 30, 2022

Tokayev consolidates power in Kazakhstan elections

Bakhytzhan Kurmanov In Kazakhstan’s recent presidential elections, incumbent President Tokayev won an overwhelming majority, further consolidating his rule. Tokayev preaches democratisation. Yet, as Bakhytzhan Kurmanov argues, the elections were hardly democratic, and the reforms he proposes may mask an intent to strengthen his own position rather than empower Kazakh citizens Read more
October 28, 2022

A second Bolsonaro term could be the point of no return for Brazilian democracy

Eduardo Burkle Bolsonaro's first term saw a decline in democracy and human rights in Brazil. Recent attacks on the media and judiciary, arguing election fraud, show how a second term for the far-right populist would only enhance Brazilian autocratisation. Democracy is on the line as the run-off elections approach, writes Eduardo Burkle Read more

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Advancing Political Science
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