Recent events in the United States have given us a good look at how a country fares when trust in its institutions is undermined by power-focused people's tribunals. This raises the question of whether we sufficiently realize the value of democracy to us as citizens. In this edition of the General Government Performance Index, I explore how democracy translates into tangible returns relevant to citizens.
The current occupant of the White House has a personality structure that is difficult to reconcile with the democratic and separation-of-powers system of the country he administers. In this article, I elaborate on this fact and try to find out what we should fear the most if he wins the elections in November or contests the election results.
Under the current president of the United States, that country is unlike anything its name suggests. The absolute separation of minds along party lines, the racial bubbles and prejudices, the perception of fact and fiction, and the hypocrisy surrounding religious experience makes it difficult to find anything in common that binds Americans together. How bad is it really, and what can we expect from the future?
Source: ANP
According to the Economist Intelligence Unit, 5.7% of the world's population in 2019, lived in countries that described as 'full democracies'. In 2008 this was still 14.4%. This fact should worry all of us deeply. How is this possible, and what does it say about us as citizens and about our politicians? Have we made the right electoral choices and do our politicians sufficiently protect us against lack of freedom, disorder and arbitrariness? In this article, I examine what forces threaten us and what opens the door to that which we escaped 75 years ago.
Again, a Brexit deadline expires without result. Brexit will be decided in a general election (or not?). Boris Johnson plays the card of protecting 'the will of the people'' to force his luck at the ballot box. Nobody has a clue what that 'will’ might be. This article attempts to figure out what 'the people' precisely wanted when they voted for 'Leave'. It might be something quite different from what the hard Brexiteers are now aiming for.
The yellow vests movement certainly attracted the attention of the French government and made governments in many European capitals think again. The so far relatively silent (lower) middle class has finally vented their cropped up frustration over higher prices, taxes and further reduction of the standards of social services. With the elections for the European Parliament scheduled for May next year, politicians need to finally address these frustrations or lose this group to parties on the extremes of the political centre. This article explores causes, examines fears and reflects on possible solutions.