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] Al-Haq warns that the impending vote on a Resolution based on US demands, concerns the Security Council's manifest abdication of its responsibility, and the further undermining and rejection of Palestinian self-determination. Al-Haq | Defending Human rights in Palestine since 19
• [New] The Security Council is expected to vote on a U.S. proposal for a U.N. mandate that would establish an international stabilization force in Gaza despite opposition from Russia, China and some Arab countries. The American Legion
• [New] Democratic-led states like California are signaling they will not sit quietly while GOP-controlled states attempt similar mid-cycle redraws. TPR
• [New] Or the United States could end gerrymandering and first-past-the-post voting by moving to a system of proportional representation, as in Germany, where parliamentary seats are awarded proportionately to vote share. The Atlantic
• [New] The only way Chinese attacks will end is if China becomes a free, democratic country. Information Technology and Innovation Foundation | ITIF
• [New] The potential for a new, powerful phase of growth is unequivocally present-AI for intellectual expansion and problem-solving, and Blockchain for establishing global trust and democratic governance. grabind.com
• [New] The impending UN vote could strain US-Israel ties, with global implications for Middle East stability and aid flows totaling $10 billion pledged but undelivered. GeopoliticsUnplugged Substack
• [New] Approval would mark a pivotal shift in Ecuador's sovereignty and security strategy, though critics warn of eroded democratic checks. GeopoliticsUnplugged Substack
• [New] The far left has weaponized radical antizionism - often indistinguishable from antisemitism - to differentiate itself from the Biden administration and purge the Democratic Party's moderates before 2028. Reason.com
• [New] A grave threat to the future of Indian Education is posed by the dominance of a dictatorial and communal ideology which shows no respect, for or affinity with, the democratic functioning and academic criticality required in a dynamic education system. Countercurrents
• [New] For decades, bipartisan support for Israel rested on shared democratic values - the conviction that free societies must defend one another or risk falling together. American Enterprise Institute - AEI
• [New] AI will undoubtedly test Australia on many levels: as a democracy; as a liberal democracy; as a country which values work, but which does not think work should be everything. Australian Broadcasting Corporation
• [New] November's election could pave the way for tumult and conflict in Iraq, including a revival of the Tishreen protest movement and a repeat of the clashes that unfolded between the Sadrists and the PMF in the aftermath of the previous vote. Middle East Council on Global Affairs
• [New] Meta and Google and Apple are not going to stand up for American democracy. The Future, Now and Then
• [New] In passing Proposition 50, which temporarily substitutes a Democratic-drawn congressional map for the map created by an independent redistricting commission, California voters could flip as many as five Republican-held U.S. House seats in 2026. KOB.com
• [New] The EU executive plans to create a Centre for Democratic Resilience to counter disinformation from Russia and other authoritarian regimes. The Guardian
• [New] New York City's new 'democratic socialist' mayor could spell disaster for capitalism and private property. Fox Business
• [New] As a whole, Ecuador's civil society has generally criticized the upcoming constitutional referendum due to the process by which it was advanced to a public vote and cautioning that other proposed changes threaten to undermine the accountability of governing institutions. George W. Bush Presidential Center
• [New] The communal rewriting of history and the promotion of Hindutva ideology in education threaten the secular and democratic foundations of the Indian constitution. Countercurrents
• [New] Chinese companies are offering a response to Indonesia's needs, but concerns exist, especially surrounding security and surveillance, that Indonesia's increasing reliance on China could also further erode its democracy. London School of Economics and Political Science
• [New] While 85% of teachers and 86% of students used AI in the 2024-25 school year, last month's report from the Center for Democracy and Technology highlights several risks. Admissions Angle
• [New] As the diplomacy-supporting Carnegie Endowment for International Peace warns, defending democracy from AI manipulation will require a comprehensive approach that combines technical solutions and societal efforts. Left Foot Forward: Leading the UK's progressive debate

Last updated: 23 November 2025