The future of democracy
Standing on the site of the bloodiest battle of the American Civil War, Abraham Lincoln made a two-minute speech that would go down as one of the greatest in history. The Gettysburg Address is a celebration of democracy: “Government of the people, by the people, for the people”. Today the future of this ancient and radical idea is uncertain: the percentage of people living in “full democracies” has halved since 2015, while the US has been downgraded by the Economist Intelligence Unit to “flawed” status. A recent University of Cambridge survey found that only 48% of millennials are satisfied with democratic systems. Over a third of the world still lives under authoritarian rule. Is democracy in crisis?
Stories
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Expert casts doubt on ‘post-truth’ claims
Does democracy REALLY depend on truth? Many people claim democratic systems only work when everyone agrees on basic truths – but others think this is a recipe for dictatorship.
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‘You almost had me murdered three weeks ago’
Is this a turning point in the struggle against white, male supremacy? By baring her emotions openly on Instagram, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also issued a challenge to Republicans.
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How Google’s latest battle affects us all
Should access to Google search be a human right? As the tech giant vows to leave Australia if new regulations come into force, some worry its departure could put vital freedoms at risk.
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‘End this uncivil war’: Biden calls for unity
Do political speeches still make a real difference? At his inauguration, Joe Biden promised to end the division in America, but some, including his predecessor, were not listening.
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You’re fired! Trump flounces out of top job
Did Donald Trump teach us a valuable lesson? Many will rejoice when Trump finally leaves the White House later today, but others warn that we must learn the lessons of his presidency.
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‘This is pre-fascism’ says top US professor
Is it local news that can save democracy? It might sound far-fetched. But respected academic Timothy Snyder is devastating in his diagnosis of America’s ills – and lucid in his prescription.
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Trump under fire after ‘assault on democracy’
Is this how civilisation collapses? Top politicians are calling for Donald Trump’s removal amid fears he will incite more violence. Joe Biden called it one of the darkest days in US history.
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Inflamed by Trump, mob storms US Capitol
Should Donald Trump be jailed? Last night he rallied rioters to attack lawmakers, toss out the election results, ignore the will of the people, and install him as president for another term.
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Electoral college calls time on Donald Trump
Will Trumpism be back? As the electoral college gives Donald Trump the boot, many hope that his cruel brand of politics will go with him – but others fear Trumpism may be here to stay.
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Dire warnings as UK leaves the ‘magic circle’
Would no deal be a disaster for Britain? Yesterday was deadline day – but at the last minute both sides agreed to carry on talking, despite Boris Johnson warning that failure was likely.
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Britain’s future on knife edge in deal talks
Is the nation state doomed? As the UK hovers on the brink of a no-deal Brexit, some fear it is staking its hopes on an outdated ideal – but others say an independent nation can still thrive.
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Satire on trial as Spitting Image returns
Is satire good for us? For centuries satirical art has provided an outlet for our dissatisfactions with politics and society. But in these torrid times, does it cause more harm than good?
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Dark rumours of Trump coup plot grip USA
Is Donald Trump staging a coup? Many believe the outgoing president is attempting an illegal power grab. Others, such as Joe Biden, think his refusal to admit defeat is just “embarrassing”.
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‘Historically she is more important than Joe’
Will Kamala Harris become president? She is set to be the first female vice-president and first black person in the post. And at 56, she is number two to a man who is 78 in just eleven days.
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Biden promises era of light after darkness
Is this a new chapter in our history? Donald Trump has often been likened to the ruthless populist leader Julius Caesar. Now many see Joe Biden as a new Cicero – defender of civic ideals.
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No clear result: an American nightmare begins
Is this how democracy dies? President Trump falsely declared victory and promised to go to court as Joe Biden seemed to be narrowly winning the election. Many fear violence on the streets.
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America votes: what a Trump victory means
Will Trump make the world a better place? A second term gives a president the chance to consolidate policies which, however bitterly opposed, will shape the country for years to come.
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America votes: what a Biden victory means
Will Joe Biden make the world a better place? Supporters hope that if he wins, he will restore US global leadership, but others fear he has no plans to solve the world’s most pressing issues.
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Threats and anger as US election day looms
Should the world be ready for a contested US election? Tomorrow, the most powerful nation on Earth will vote for its next president – but both candidates may end up claiming they have won.
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The Average Joe who could triumph over Trump
Is ordinariness the secret of his success? He is not always suave and sophisticated. But if he wins tomorrow, Joe Biden will become the oldest first-time American president in history.
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The stubborn roots of modern anti-Semitism
Will the world ever be free of it? A new report into anti-Semitism in the British Labour Party has led to the suspension of its former leader – but some see a much more intractable problem.
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The judge who could change the face of the US
Is it right to call Monday “one of the darkest days in Senate history”? In the USA, the appointment of a right-wing Supreme Court judge days before a presidential election has sparked rage.
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No fatal wounds in Trump/Biden final duel
Could it be a Biden landslide? No clear winner emerged as the candidates locked horns for a final time last night. Now, some believe anti-Trump sentiment could push Biden to a historic win.
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Millennials losing their faith in politics
Can democracy survive? As national leaders worldwide move to curb local mayors and leaders, a new survey shows that millennials are losing faith in democratic systems altogether.
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Twitter and Facebook in censorship row
Should social media sites decide what news we read? Some argue that they play a key role in suppressing fake news – but others fear giving them too much power over the information we access.
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BBC rival ‘good for democracy’ says TV star
Should news really be impartial? British households may soon be able to tune into a new opinion-led TV news channel, but critics worry that it will further widen political divisions.
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The fighter who changed the world for women
Will her death also be the death of US justice? Many say Donald Trump's move to replace the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg before the presidential election is an abuse of power.
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Democracy is in crisis, says major new report
Is democracy in trouble? Politicians don’t listen and political opinions divide. A new survey shows that people in developed countries are more and more unhappy with their political system.
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Fake news, Facebook and a threat to democracy
Is Facebook putting democracy at risk? That is the verdict of a committee of British MPs who spent 18 months investigating fake news, Brexit and social media advertising. Are they right?
