International IDEA’s Post

Well, it is time to refocus our lens on the voices and experiences that shape democratic reality—only then can we build systems that truly serve all. Focus not only on the bigger picture, but on the power of individual voices and diverse experiences to redefine #democracy's promise and potential.  #Striveforthepursuitofdemocratic ideas.

'Democracy' can mean a culture and system of power sharing that enable all concerned to have an informed, meaningful, and equally respected input into how they are governed; or it can mean no more than a multi-party electoral system. Democracy in the latter sense can have many flaws and is easily subverted. Democracy in the former sense is what most people on reflection want to see established, but has no common designation. With the help of Citizen Network, we will be encouraging everyone to use the term 'Citizen Democracy' to refer to the wider and deeper sense of democracy: https://lnkd.in/eGaSbffE #democracy #politics #government Simon Duffy Gabriel Chanan Diane Warburton Helena Kettleborough

In recent years, the concept of deliberative democracy has gained increasing traction as a pathway towards empowering the people in decision-making processes. This model of governance puts an emphasis on informed and inclusive discussion among citizens to reach consensus on public policy issues. #Democracy #SocialScience

'Democracy' often means simply some form of multi-party electoral system, but for citizens to have a truly informed and meaningful role to play in their own collective governance, we need a range of socio-political conditions to be in place. These are the conditions for Citizen Democracy, and a group of us on Citizen Network are bringing together free resources to set out what they are and how they can be advanced. Take a look: https://lnkd.in/eiUshRVD Simon Duffy Diane Warburton Helena Kettleborough Gabriel Chanan #democracy

In his insightful article for the European Endowment for Democracy, Hardy Merriman delves into the crucial intersection of nonviolence and the necessity for training. Aligned with the Regional Institute on the Study and Practice of Strategic Nonviolent Action in the Americas belief that nonviolence is the right path, we've crafted our podcast and blogs to serve as platforms for disseminating valuable insights on successful nonviolent movements. Join us on a journey to uncover the lessons learned from these movements, as we explore their strategies, challenges, and triumphs. Let's empower ourselves with knowledge and tools to drive positive change through peaceful means. Tune in to our podcast: Nonviolent Resistence Narratives: https://lnkd.in/eHQmY2mn and delve into our blogs: In Movement :https://lnkd.in/dZnfhUsp to gain a deeper understanding of nonviolence and its transformative potential. Together, let's pave the way for a more peaceful and just world.

Well-said: “ In countries where independent civil society organisations have been curtailed or outlawed in recent years, programmes may need to be substantially modified to channel support to informal entities. Initiatives that are premised on institutional mechanisms functioning properly may also need to significantly adjust their approach if those institutions become corrupted or captured. Elections, the legal system, and registered CSOs can still have an important role to play in such cases, but expanding support to movements can create space for independent CSOs to function and apply pressure to ensure institutional means work as intended.”

The recently published "Perceptions of Democracy" report by International IDEA offers a comprehensive survey of global views on democratic institutions across 19 countries. The findings reveal significant dissatisfaction with political institutions and government performance, highlighting a need for democratic reforms. The report highlights challenges faced by minorities and marginalized groups, who encounter more obstacles and hold more negative views about institutional performance. Addressing these disparities will create a more inclusive and equitable democratic society. There is also a notable disparity between expert assessments and public perceptions, with the public generally more skeptical, demonstrating a need to integrate public sentiment into democratic evaluations. Despite living in democracies, many people do not reject undemocratic leadership, and less than half are satisfied with their governments. This highlights a trust gap that must be bridged. Trust and confidence from citizens are vital for the health of a democracy, making it essential to address these gaps to build more inclusive and credible democratic processes. #Democracy #PublicOpinion #GlobalSurvey #InclusiveGovernance https://lnkd.in/g_CH4Sm2

OPINION: LA City Council poised to strong-arm local democracy. Why a ‘democracy package’ of charter amendments needs to be considered independent of elected officials. By Michael Feinstein. LA Daily News. https://lnkd.in/e5J-GDbP #CharterReform #losangeles #CharterReview #LosAngeles #LosAngelesCityCouncil #LACityCouncil #Democracy #ElectoralReform

ICYMI - Can democracy survive 2024? (Free to read via FT Advanced Sharing). The most read Big Read article by FT Professional subscribers this week is a sobering piece by Alec Russell featuring insights from Larry Diamond, the Stanford University professor who coined the phrase “democratic recession”. Can democracy fight off the spread of autocracy in a historic year where roughly half the world's adult population will have the opportunity to go to the polls? >> https://on.ft.com/3S51gTU 

A #Citizen's #Guide to Preserving #Democracy A Citizen’s Guide to Preserving Democracy is based on Richard Haass’ best-selling book "The Bill of Obligations: The Ten Habits of Good Citizens." Through interviews and real-life examples of tenets like 'Be Informed,' 'Reject Violence' and 'Stay Open to Compromise', Hari Sreenivasan and Dr. Haass explore how Americans are working towards strengthening democracy and renewing engaged citizenry. #video https://lnkd.in/eQBVXzkN