Journal of Democracy @jodemocracy.bsky.social · 5h🌍 The international system has shifted to a post-unipolar state, "accompanied by a situation in which, for the first time in more than a century, all major powers are either authoritarian or led by figures who are pursuing autocratizing trajectories." muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a... 061
Journal of Democracy @jodemocracy.bsky.social · 6h🧑💼 Bureaucrats may be easy to dislike, but they can be a hidden source of democratic resilience in authoritarian regimes, writes Maria Nagawa. 🗄️ However, advances in AI threaten civil servants' autonomy. How can we defend these silent protectors of democracy? muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a... 031
Journal of Democracy @jodemocracy.bsky.social · 7h🤖 What is authoritarian AI's last-mile problem?💭 While AI may provide authoritarians with formidable information capabilities, any actual regime coercion must still be carried out by human agents. These human agents can then disobey the regime, writes Jie (Jason) Lian. muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a... 031
Journal of Democracy @jodemocracy.bsky.social · 8hWhat is the "real" liberation technology? According to Larry Diamond, it's the internet and social media liberation technology. 📲 Rabah Arezki argues that mobile-payment systems and financial technology more broadly are the real liberators in authoritarian regimes. 💸 muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a... 000
Journal of Democracy @jodemocracy.bsky.social · 9h🧐 Does nonviolent action still work? 📚 According to Breza Race Maksimovic and Jamila Raqib, nonviolent tactics from previous generations may no longer suffice. ⚠️ Today's nonviolent movements must adapt to overcome rapidly advancing authoritarian tactics. ⚠️ muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a... 110
Journal of Democracy @jodemocracy.bsky.social · 02/10/2026Opposition movements have begun to question the power of taking to the street. But protest matters in backsliding democracies when it builds opposition strength—politicizing new voters, emboldening institutions, and fracturing the ruling coalition. 🆕 @saskiabr.bsky.social muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a... 032
Journal of Democracy @jodemocracy.bsky.social · 02/10/2026Autocrats look invincible until their allies start to walk away. Defections have brought down regimes from Guatemala to Hungary, and they can be engineered: Raise the costs of standing with the autocrat and ease the path out. 🆕 by Laura Gamboa muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a... 11310
Journal of Democracy @jodemocracy.bsky.social · 02/10/2026When elected leaders attack the courts, judges rarely prevail on their own. Across 25 cases of backsliding, judicial independence survived only where legislators, protesters, and international institutions stood ready to defend it. 🆕 by Andrew O’Donohue muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a... 010
Journal of Democracy @jodemocracy.bsky.social · 02/10/2026Independent journalism is under siege from lawsuits, shutdowns, and digital dominance. Good reporting is no longer enough: The media must win distribution, build solidarity networks, diversify funding, and connect the consequences of democratic erosion to daily life. muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a... 065
Journal of Democracy @jodemocracy.bsky.social · 02/10/2026"The United States descended into soft competitive authoritarianism during Donald Trump’s second presidency. Regime change occurred with striking speed. Immediately upon taking office in January 2025, Trump began to weaponize the state." muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a... 12915
Reposted by Journal of DemocracyCarnegie Democracy @carnegiedcg.bsky.social · 02/10/2026🔔Out now!🔔 In a new @jodemocracy.bsky.social symposium, @carnegieendowment.org scholars @rachelkleinfeld.bsky.social, @saskiabr.bsky.social, & Andrew O'Donohue examine how individuals and institutions build democratic resilience during periods of democratic backsliding⬇️journalofdemocracy.orgIssue: October 2026 | Journal of Democracy 011
Reposted by Journal of DemocracyNicholas Grossman @nicholasgrossman.bsky.social · 02/10/2026"Polarization is Not the Problem" by @lilymasonphd.bsky.social is deservedly getting attention, and a line from it applies here: Telling "everyone to quiet down and be 'civil'... benefits those who are willing to grab as much power as they can without concern for legality or civility." 46920
Journal of Democracy @jodemocracy.bsky.social · 02/10/2026Opposition parties cannot defeat backsliding incumbents alone, but big united fronts often fail, too. The important choice lies between unity coalitions and quiet ones—and knowing which to choose can make all the difference. 🆕 by @rachelkleinfeld.bsky.social muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a... 010
Journal of Democracy @jodemocracy.bsky.social · 02/10/2026Polarization is not the problem. The problem: ethnonationalists threatening vulnerable citizens' rights. "The people who are the most 'polarized' in the U.S. electorate are those who are racist and sexist, and those who oppose racists and sexists." @lilymasonphd.bsky.social muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a... 04420
Reposted by Journal of DemocracyPat Sajak’s #1 Fan @flickityflarn.bsky.social · 02/10/2026"The problem is not that the parties are divided. The problem is the existential threat that a reempowered ethnonationalist strain poses to pluralistic U.S. democracy writ large..." 211
Journal of Democracy @jodemocracy.bsky.social · 02/10/2026A wealthy, high-quality democracy has seized up. No populist, no stolen election—just divided government colliding with a constitution built for single-party rule. With Beijing watching, the stakes for Taiwan could not be higher. 🆕 by @kharist.bsky.social muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a... 011
Reposted by Journal of DemocracyChris Strauber @cstrauber.bsky.social · 02/10/2026Polarization is not the problem. "...the people who are the most “polarized” in the U.S. electorate are those who -are- racist and sexist, and those who -oppose- racists and sexists." 143
Reposted by Journal of DemocracyKevin Elliott @kjephd.bsky.social · 01/10/2026By all means, be inspired by @lilymasonphd.bsky.social's conclusion. But it's as important to attend to its analysis: the polarization frame suggests political responses that consolidate anti-democratic gains & autocratization of the political system. Fighting for progress is what's called for. 15921
Reposted by Journal of DemocracyMark Copelovitch @mcopelov.bsky.social · 01/10/2026Today in "it's not polarization" 👇🎯 09018
Reposted by Journal of DemocracyShane Duarte @shaneduarte.bsky.social · 01/10/2026"When we focus on polarization as the problem, the solution is for everyone to quiet down and be 'civil'—an outcome that benefits those who are willing to grab as much power as they can without concern for legality or civility." 053
Reposted by Journal of DemocracyLaurent Dubois @soccerpolitics.bsky.social · 01/10/2026"Partisan polarization is not the greatest threat to American democracy. It is a vivid and identifiable symptom of the real threat. And it is a popular frame because it blames no one." Tremendous and convincing piece from @lilymasonphd.bsky.social 042
Reposted by Journal of DemocracyRima I Anabtawi @rimaanabtawi.bsky.social · 01/10/2026"When we focus on polarization as the problem, the solution is for everyone to quiet down and be 'civil'—an outcome that benefits those who are willing to grab as much power as they can without concern for legality or civility." ‼️ 052
Reposted by Journal of DemocracyNathan Kalmoe (he/him) @nathankalmoe.bsky.social · 01/10/2026THIS THIS THIS! 👇🏻 0144
Reposted by Journal of DemocracyLaurent Dubois @soccerpolitics.bsky.social · 01/10/2026"When we focus on polarization as the problem, the solution is for everyone to quiet down and be 'civil'—an outcome that benefits those who are willing to grab as much power as they can without concern for legality or civility." - @lilymasonphd.bsky.social 1218
Reposted by Journal of DemocracyMark Histed @markhisted.org · 02/10/2026“a “both sides” diagnosis obscures the asymmetry between a faction seeking to reverse social progress and those resisting it. Polarization is this less the disease than democracy’s immune response to an unpopular, antidemocratic mvmt.” @lilymasonphd.bsky.social Yes. This is a prob in science too. 1225
Reposted by Journal of DemocracyEric Rauchway @rauchway.bsky.social · 02/10/2026Polarization, still not the problem 16218
Reposted by Journal of Democracycolleenky.bsky.social @colleenky.bsky.social · 02/10/2026YES. THIS. 011
Reposted by Journal of DemocracyNate @ngs.bsky.social · 01/10/2026This is a very good read for anyone looking to cut through the 'both sides' nonsense. 021
Journal of Democracy @jodemocracy.bsky.social · 01/10/2026Inequality fuels democratic decay almost everywhere, yet South Korea and Taiwan keep thriving. Their secret is the welfare state: Universal healthcare, pensions, and social protection have given citizens concrete reasons to trust democracy. 🆕 by @josephwongut.bsky.social muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a... 076
Journal of Democracy @jodemocracy.bsky.social · 01/10/2026For the first time in a century, every great power is autocratic or heading that way. In a post-unipolar world, strongmen shop for patrons and make deals while democrats increasingly are on the defensive. @senemaydndzgit.bsky.social, @berkesen.bsky.social, and Sebnem Gumuscu muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a... 042
Reposted by Journal of DemocracyJohn C. Bienvenu @jbienvenu.bsky.social · 01/10/2026“If democracy is restored, Americans should resist the temptation to downplay or forget this authoritarianism….If we are to reclaim American democracy and safeguard its future, we must first acknowledge the extent to which it has broken down.” 032
Reposted by Journal of DemocracyLily Mason @lilymasonphd.bsky.social · 01/10/2026My new JOD piece arguing against the “cure polarization” approach to saving democracy. 10487165
Reposted by Journal of DemocracyKevin Elliott @kjephd.bsky.social · 01/10/2026@lilymasonphd.bsky.social spitting truth: 115270
Journal of Democracy @jodemocracy.bsky.social · 01/10/2026Bureaucrats who slow-walk, leak, and refuse to cooperate have long been democracy’s quiet sentinels. But autocrats armed with AI surveillance will root them out—unless democracies build new legal shields around the administrative state. 🆕 by @mnagawa.bsky.social muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a... 050
Reposted by Journal of DemocracySai On Blue Sky @saifiles.bsky.social · 01/10/2026This is an interesting article ... "Competitive Authoritarianism" 031
Journal of Democracy @jodemocracy.bsky.social · 01/10/2026AI gives autocrats unprecedented powers of surveillance, but seeing is not enforcing. Authoritarians still rely on coercion, and a regime’s henchmen can shirk, defect, or disobey. The costs for autocrats will rise in unexpected ways. 🆕 by Jie (Jason) Lian muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a... 021
Reposted by Journal of DemocracySai On Blue Sky @saifiles.bsky.social · 01/10/2026Highly recommend this journal! 042
Reposted by Journal of DemocracyAlex Orkid 🌍 @alexorkid.bsky.social · 01/10/2026How nonviolent movements need to adapt to the current political climate. Important read. 💯👀 032
Journal of Democracy @jodemocracy.bsky.social · 01/10/2026Social media inspired revolutions that autocrats quickly smothered. Digital payments are different: Rulers cannot switch them off without ruining their own economies. Quietly, they enrich citizens, broaden markets, and build the foundations for a freer society. —Rabah Arezki muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a... 020
Journal of Democracy @jodemocracy.bsky.social · 01/10/2026Americans have never been angrier with one another. But polarization is not the disease—it is the response to a revanchist movement seeking to roll back sixty years of social progress. 🆕 by @lilymasonphd.bsky.social muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a... 9442152
Journal of Democracy @jodemocracy.bsky.social · 01/10/2026Mass movements topple dictators but struggle to secure democracy afterward. The theory of nonviolent struggle is not broken; it is out of date. Regimes have adapted their repression—movements must now adapt their strategies. 🆕 by Breza Race Maksimovic and Jamila Raqib muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a... 011
Reposted by Journal of DemocracyDr. Maria Nagawa @mnagawa.bsky.social · 01/10/2026In my new essay in @jodemocracy.bsky.social, I look at why bureaucratic discretion matters for resistance to authoritarianism—and what may be lost as AI gives political leaders new ways to monitor bureaucrats’ decisions, communications, and behavior. www.journalofdemocracy.org/articles/wil...journalofdemocracy.orgWill AI Surveillance End Bureaucratic Autonomy? | Journal of DemocracyBureaucrats who slow-walk, leak, and refuse to cooperate have long been democracy’s quiet sentinels. But autocrats armed with AI surveillance will root them out—unless democracies build new legal… 062
Reposted by Journal of DemocracyLSE European Institute @lse-ei.bsky.social · 30/09/2026Is Germany’s far right winning on its message, or simple presence? 🇩🇪 In @jodemocracy.bsky.social, our PhD candidate @lucasiepmann.bsky.social argues mainstream parties should learn from the AfD’s presence on the ground and accessibility, not its polices. Read more👇 www.lse.ac.uk/european-ins...lse.ac.ukWhy Germany’s mainstream parties have lost their wayIs Germany’s far right gaining voters for its message, or simply for showing up? 031
Reposted by Journal of DemocracyLuca Siepmann @lucasiepmann.bsky.social · 30/09/2026Thanks @lse-ei.bsky.social for featuring our essay (w/ @justinmdaniels.bsky.social) for the @jodemocracy.bsky.social. We discuss the role of the AfD's presence in local communities in mobilising many of its (new) voters in the recent elections + what this should mean for centrist parties' responses. 032
Journal of Democracy @jodemocracy.bsky.social · 01/10/2026The United States has slid into competitive authoritarianism. The slide has been modest and remains reversible—but it is real. Even after Donald Trump, American democracy will remain fragile. 🆕 by Steven Levitsky and Lucan A. Way: muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a... 0133
Journal of Democracy @jodemocracy.bsky.social · 01/10/2026⚠️😱🎃 October issue out now! 🎃😱⚠️ Read it FREE here: muse.jhu.edu/issue/5... 032
Journal of Democracy @jodemocracy.bsky.social · 30/09/2026Our new ✨ October issue ✨ comes out TOMORROW! Get excited! 🎃journalofdemocracy.orgJournal of DemocracyThe <em>Journal of Democracy</em> has been a leading voice in the conversation about government by consent and its place in the world. 010
Journal of Democracy @jodemocracy.bsky.social · 30/09/2026Democracies have always sparked conflict, disagreement, and deep ideological divisions. Polarized politics are hardly rare in democratic life. So under what conditions does polarization turn violent, and how can this danger be contained?journalofdemocracy.orgWhen Polarization Turns Violent | Journal of DemocracyDemocracies have always sparked conflict, disagreement, and deep ideological divisions. Polarized politics are hardly rare in democratic life. So under what conditions does polarization turn violent… 010
Journal of Democracy @jodemocracy.bsky.social · 30/09/2026Can Péter Magyar Restore Hungary’s Democracy?journalofdemocracy.orgCan Péter Magyar Restore Hungary’s Democracy? | Journal of DemocracyHe did the hard work of defeating Viktor Orbán. But Hungary’s new prime minister faces the harder task of undoing the damage his predecessor wrought. Can he do it while avoiding the traps Orbán left… 010