Democracy has struggled to take hold in Africa, partly due its lack of economic development amongst other factors. The failure of democracy to spur economic development in Africa has opened a …
Abrupt Decay: How Egypt’s Democratic Experiment Failed Too Soon for Us To See
Democracy in Egypt lasted less than two years between 2011 and 2013. How do new governments fail so quickly? And is democracy gone for good in Egypt? For those watching the Arab Spring unfold, we …
Niger: Democratizing from Blatant to Stealth Authoritarianism
Niger’s recent 2020 elections has been labeled an important period of democratization: securing its first transition of power between democratically elected leaders (Balima, 2021). This transition did …
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Facebook’s Gradual Assault on Democracy
Communication and social interactions are critical tools that can either solidify polarization or depolarize democracies at risk. Social relations inherently trickle down into the political discourse …
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WhatsApp Drives a Double-Edged Sword Through Nigerian Democracy
Social media and democracy often share a love-hate relationship in the Global South. In many cases, the blessing of free communication arrives alongside an infectious misinformation curse. In Nigeria, …
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Guinea’s Election Violence: Threats to West African Democracy
The October election that took place in Guinea gave rise to a wave of polarized electorate who have been engaging in a variety of protests, riots, and other forms of civil disobedience in light of …
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A New Brand of Autocratic Consolidation: A Case Study in Ethiopia
A new brand of Autocratic Consolidation: A Case Study in Ethiopia He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019, but Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is now on the cusp of dealing with a civil …
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Terrorism and Democracy in Burkina Faso
Rising terrorist attacks are continuing to threaten the fledgling Burkinabè democracy. After Burkina Faso overthrew its authoritarian leader Blaise Compaoré in 2014 and elected Roch Marc Christian …
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