Global Scans · Democracy · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Society is expressing its discontent with current democratic processes that leave the elites struggling to convince their voters of their good intentions and competencies. Read on to see how democracy is offering both great opportunities and risks while this period of volatility shakes out.

• [New] The people of Burma, including the Karen, have never and will never change in their desire for freedom, human rights and democracy. ENG.MIZZIMA.COM
• [New] As with Poland's rounds of voting during the past decade, the next few elections in the United States will not only be contests between competing policies but involve a more fundamental choice between democracy and authoritarianism, as well. Foreign Affairs
• [New] The gravest danger to U.S. democracy is not repression but demobilization. Foreign Affairs
• [New] Electoral authorities in Honduras are expected to conduct a recount in the coming days after last month's disputed presidential election. Everything Briefing
• [New] A pivotal vote in the U.S. Senate could soon reshape how stablecoins are regulated, as lawmakers prepare to decide the fate of the GENIUS Act - a bill that's been in negotiation for weeks. Cryptodnes EN
• [New] A new study by ETH Zurich shows that if uncertainty is seen as an opportunity, the willingness to vote for right-wing populist parties such as AfD decreases. ETH Zurich
• [New] Bangladesh stands at a crossroads that will shape its democracy, justice, and the social compact for a generation. The Logical Indian
• [New] Trump has repeatedly pledged to end what he falsely calls an EV mandate, referring incorrectly to Democratic President Joe Biden's target that half of all new vehicle sales be electric by 2030. East Bay Times
• [New] America's most populous metropolis and Earth's financial, media, and fashion capital soon will be governed by a self-styled democratic socialist who sounds more like a Soviet commissar than a Scandinavian central banker. The American Spectator | USA News and Politics
• [New] California is set to redraw its congressional maps, which likely will result in more Democratic seats. NPR
• A global rise in authoritarian regimes has put many democratic institutions under threat, resulting in a decline in the respect of human rights and civil liberties around the world and a rise in attacks and assassinations of human rights defenders. cafod.org.uk
• The United States has accused Rwanda of driving instability in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, warning that a Rwanda-backed advance by the M23 rebel group threatens to derail a U.S.-brokered peace effort. OkayAfrica
• Turkey will no longer consider the Syrian Democratic Forces to be a terrorist organization if the SDF hands over key resources and infrastructure to the Syrian government as part of its integration into the Syrian state. Critical Threats
• Continuing militancy threatened the ceasefire between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Bangladesh and Papua New Guinea saw election-related violence, and anti-corruption protests in the Philippines were widespread, but divided. Acled
• The balance between federal enforcement operations (Agency Politicization, Human Rights, Sub-national Autonomy) and community resistance (Contentious Politics, Civil Society Oversight) will continue affecting multiple democracy factors. RealTime DemTrends
• France's social security budget, which covers healthcare, pensions, and welfare, faced a critical parliamentary vote on Tuesday that could leave a 30-billion-euro shortfall. Modern Diplomacy
• Support might be directed toward Myanmar's democratic forces, including the National Unity Government, ethnic political organizations, and exiled civil society groups. https://www.asianconfluence.org/

Last updated: 21 December 2025