iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Saskia Brechenmacher

Carnegie Endowment @carnegieendowment.org · 03/04/2026

“No Kings” protests in the U.S. and globally have mobilized millions against the Trump administration’s policies. But are mass protests enough to spark actual democratic change? @saskiabr.bsky.social and Shreya Joshi unpack: carnegieendowment.org/emissary/202...

carnegieendowment.org

Protests Like No Kings Can Only Go So Far to Stem Authoritarianism

Lessons from other backsliding democracies show that mass mobilization needs to feed into an electoral strategy.

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Reposted by Saskia Brechenmacher

Carnegie Democracy @carnegiedcg.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

Democratic erosion and far-right mobilization are shrinking women's political power, as funders are retreating. Facing these challenges, those who still support women's political empowerment need bolder investments. New from @saskiabr.bsky.social for @europeandemocracyhub.epd.eu 🔽

europeandemocracyhub.epd.eu

Beyond Beijing: Rethinking Women's Political Participation

Beyond Beijing is a research project investigating the global progress made in supporting women’s political participation.

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Saskia Brechenmacher @saskiabr.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

Tune in tomorrow! Register below:

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Saskia Brechenmacher @saskiabr.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Join us for this timely discussion next week!

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Reposted by Saskia Brechenmacher

Carnegie Democracy @carnegiedcg.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

🆕"Africa’s democratic landscape defies a single story of systemic backsliding or reform—and instead is best understood as a collection of diverging and still unsettled trajectories." @saskiabr.bsky.social and Frances Brown identify four governance trends to watch for in Africa this year⤵️

carnegieendowment.org

Africa’s Democratic Kaleidoscope: Trends to Watch in 2026

Supporters of democracy within and outside the continent should track these four patterns in the coming year.

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Reposted by Saskia Brechenmacher

Carnegie Democracy @carnegiedcg.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

🆕Can street protests—like those in Minneapolis—actually slow democratic erosion? @saskiabr.bsky.social lays out the 3 features of impactful protest: nonviolence, broad coalitions, and long-term, institutional action. Today for @foreignpolicy.com ⤵️

foreignpolicy.com

In Minneapolis and Elsewhere, Do Street Protests Make a Difference?

Three factors shape when protests restrain democratic erosion—and when they don’t.

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Saskia Brechenmacher @saskiabr.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

We may hope that voters punish democratic erosion. But comparative evidence suggests that in polarized contexts, they often don't. In Democracy Without Exception, I reflect on what opposition strategies have worked: democracywithoutexception.substack.com/p/dont-count... @carnegiedcg.bsky.social

democracywithoutexception.substack.com

Don’t Count on Voters to Punish Trump’s Autocratic Moves

Saskia Brechenmacher on why polarization erodes electoral accountability

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Reposted by Saskia Brechenmacher

Isabel Linzer @isabelalinzer.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

I really recommend this from @saskiabr.bsky.social. And while you're at it, subscribe to Democracy without Exception! Always good, grounded discussion that does the much-needed work of analyzing the US in a global context democracywithoutexception.substack.com/p/dont-count...

democracywithoutexception.substack.com

Don’t Count on Voters to Punish Trump’s Autocratic Moves

Saskia Brechenmacher on why polarization erodes electoral accountability

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Reposted by Saskia Brechenmacher

Carnegie Endowment @carnegieendowment.org · 08/01/2026

While it’s tempting to blame the backlash against gender equality on specific leaders like Hungary’s Viktor Orbán or the U.S.’s Donald Trump, it’s a global problem – and solving it requires a new playbook. @saskiabr.bsky.social explains in @foreignaffairs.com: www.foreignaffairs.com/world/how-sa...

foreignaffairs.com

How to Save the Fight for Women’s Rights

The backlash against democracy calls for new strategies.

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Saskia Brechenmacher @saskiabr.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

My latest article, for @foreignaffairs.com, on how to the fight for women's rights has to adapt to a changed geopolitical landscape:

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Reposted by Saskia Brechenmacher

Mara Revkin @mararevkin.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

Important reading from @saskiabr.bsky.social on threats to women's rights in the context of democratic backsliding: "...Antidemocratic actors intentionally use gender to polarize the public and delegitimize broader human rights and equality norms." @carnegiedcg.bsky.social

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Reposted by Saskia Brechenmacher

Rebecca Turkington @rcturk.bsky.social · 14/10/2025

@saskiabr.bsky.social and I wrote in @foreignpolicy.com about the dismantling of gender equality architecture in U.S. foreign policy, including offices that were created more than six decades ago with bipartisan consensus. foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/13/t...

foreignpolicy.com

Trump Erases Women From Foreign Policy

The White House has overturned the decades-old bipartisan policy consensus that female empowerment serves U.S. interests.

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Reposted by Saskia Brechenmacher

Jacob Ware @jacobware.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

"The Trump administration has abandoned the consensus that women's participation and perspectives add value to U.S. security policy and operations." @rcturk.bsky.social @saskiabr.bsky.social @foreignpolicy.com foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/13/t...

foreignpolicy.com

Trump Erases Women From Foreign Policy

The White House has overturned the decades-old bipartisan policy consensus that female empowerment serves U.S. interests.

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Reposted by Saskia Brechenmacher

Carnegie Democracy @carnegiedcg.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

📽️📽️Check out the new explainer video from @carnegieendowment.org on global lessons for nonprofits responding to shrinking civic space in the U.S. The video highlights 3⃣ findings from the work of DCG Senior Fellow @saskiabr.bsky.social:

youtube.com

Are These Global Strategies the Key to Protecting U.S. Civic Space?

YouTube video by Carnegie Explains

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Saskia Brechenmacher @saskiabr.bsky.social · 31/07/2025

Civil society in the US faces new threats and pressures. What can US nonprofits learn from strategies used by organizations and activists in other countries? This short video highlights findings from my research: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMbw...

youtube.com

Are These Global Strategies the Key to Protecting U.S. Civic Space?

YouTube video by Carnegie Explains

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Reposted by Saskia Brechenmacher

Carnegie Democracy @carnegiedcg.bsky.social · 16/07/2025

🎙️"A lot of these [illiberal] actors have recognized that gender issues are a really good mobilization tool...It becomes a symbol of what you are against." Listen to @saskiabr.bsky.social's discussion with @markleongoldberg.bsky.social on the #GlobalDispatches podcast👇

podcasts.apple.com

The Global Backlash Against Gender Equality

Podcast Episode · Global Dispatches -- World News That Matters · 07/14/2025 · 28m

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Reposted by Saskia Brechenmacher

Carnegie Endowment @carnegieendowment.org · 17/07/2025

From Uganda to Nigeria, activists have pushed back against threats to protests, nonprofits, and free speech. What can U.S. civil society learn from their success? We unpacked three strategies, based on work by @carnegiedcg.bsky.social's @saskiabr.bsky.social: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMbw...

youtube.com

Are These Global Strategies the Key to Protecting U.S. Civic Space?

YouTube video by Carnegie Explains

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Reposted by Saskia Brechenmacher

Carnegie Endowment @carnegieendowment.org · 05/06/2025

Around the world, issues of so-called “gender ideology” – or issues like gender equality and LBGTQ rights – are subject to a new, powerful wave of backlash. @carnegiedcg.bsky.social's @saskiabr.bsky.social explained how this backlash manifests in different regions 👇

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Saskia Brechenmacher @saskiabr.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

Checking in from parental leave to share my latest paper with @carnegiedcg.bsky.social! What's behind the contemporary anti-gender backlash? How does it manifest across different countries and regions? And why has it been difficult to mount an effective response? 🔽 🔽 🔽

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Reposted by Saskia Brechenmacher

Carnegie Democracy @carnegiedcg.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

🆕| The 2024 election year did not bring major upticks in women’s political representation. This negative trendline underscores that the road to gender parity remains arduous and uncertain, argues @saskiabr.bsky.social. Read her newest publication for the Colmena Fund👇 colmena.fund/wp-content/u...

"The 2024 Super Election Year for Women in Politics: Stagnation, Setbacks, and Surprising Wins." Publication for the Colmena Fund for Women's Political Power, written by Saskia Brechenmacher.

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Saskia Brechenmacher @saskiabr.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

These men (Musk, Hegseth, Kennedy Jr, Dana White) "weren’t elevated despite their alleged abuse of women. Putting them in charge proclaims that their values are now ascendant — power, aggression, hierarchy and leader-worship." www.nytimes.com/2025/02/28/o...

nytimes.com

Opinion | Andrew Tate, Accused of Sex Trafficking, Is Trump’s Kind of Guy

The president ushers in a new age of aggressive male impunity.

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Reposted by Saskia Brechenmacher

Carnegie Democracy @carnegiedcg.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

"In addition to targeting a vulnerable minority, attacks on gender ideology open the door to a much wider offensive against equality norms and rights protections," asserts @saskiabr.bsky.social. Read her full piece for @carnegieendowment.org👇

carnegieendowment.org

Trump’s “Gender Ideology” Attacks Are Following a Global Movement

In Europe and Latin America, the concept has been used to demand and justify far-reaching attacks on women’s rights and LGBTQ rights.

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Reposted by Saskia Brechenmacher

Sophia Besch @sophiabesch.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

ICYMI - after the German elections, the most important take aways are on Democracy and Defense. Analysis from @saskiabr.bsky.social and me for @carnegieendowment.org

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Reposted by Saskia Brechenmacher

Carnegie Democracy @carnegiedcg.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

Germany's elections affirmed 2 major trends shaping its politics: increasing political fragmentation and the rise of the far-right. The election results hold significant ramifications for Germany, the EU, and beyond, write @sophiabesch.bsky.social & @saskiabr.bsky.social for @carnegieendowment.org👇

carnegieendowment.org

For Years, Germany Has Looked Inward. Its Next Leader Doesn’t Have That Luxury.

Merz will urgently need take on responsibility for the survival of the European project.

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Reposted by Saskia Brechenmacher

stevelevitsky.bsky.social @stevelevitsky.bsky.social · 19/02/2025

Whereas US institutions completely failed to hold Trump accountable for his attempt to overturn an election, Brazil's institutions show some vigor. Brazil Charges Bolsonaro With Plotting a Coup After 2022 Election Loss www.nytimes.com/2025/02/18/w...

nytimes.com

Brazil Charges Bolsonaro With Attempting a Coup

Brazil’s attorney general accused former President Jair Bolsonaro of overseeing a scheme to try to hold on to power. The Supreme Court will decide whether he is arrested.

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Reposted by Saskia Brechenmacher

Carnegie Democracy @carnegiedcg.bsky.social · 18/02/2025

Experiences from backsliding democracies highlight the threats that the Trump administration poses to U.S. media freedom. @saskiabr.bsky.social & Margot Treadwell examine three of these dangers in their newest for @wpr.bsky.social⤵️

worldpoliticsreview.com

Trump Is Using a Familiar Playbook to Erode U.S. Press Freedoms

The experiences of other backsliding democracies demonstrate the dangers facing U.S. media freedoms during his second term.

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Saskia Brechenmacher @saskiabr.bsky.social · 17/02/2025

For @wpr.bsky.social, Margot Treadwell & I highlight 3 strategies Trump is using to erode independent media: ➡️ Chilling effects through vilification, barriers to access & lawsuits ➡️ Exploiting the media sector's economic vulnerabiities to exert control ➡️ Cultivating alternative information channels

worldpoliticsreview.com

Trump Is Using a Familiar Playbook to Erode U.S. Press Freedoms

The experiences of other backsliding democracies demonstrate the dangers facing U.S. media freedoms during his second term.

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Saskia Brechenmacher @saskiabr.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

The new DoJ leadership seems to think that “the policies of a democratically elected President and a Senate-confirmed Attorney General” take precedence over a Justice Department lawyer’s oath … to the Constitution." www.stevevladeck.com/p/124-the-th...

stevevladeck.com

124. The Thursday Night Massacre(s)

Two very different episodes on Thursday provide growing evidence of a Department of Justice that is showing less respect, by the day, for the rule of law.

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Reposted by Saskia Brechenmacher

Carnegie Democracy @carnegiedcg.bsky.social · 14/02/2025

President Trump's attacks against “gender ideology" are not about defending women, @saskiabr.bsky.social asserts. Rather, they align with a global movement targeting LGBTQ rights and progressive gender norms. Read her newest for @carnegieendowment.org⤵️

carnegieendowment.org

Trump’s “Gender Ideology” Attacks Are Following a Global Movement

In Europe and Latin America, the concept has been used to demand and justify far-reaching attacks on women’s rights and LGBTQ rights.

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Saskia Brechenmacher @saskiabr.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

The US is headed toward competitive authoritarianism, warn political scientists Steven Levitksy and Lucan Way: www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...

foreignaffairs.com

The Path to American Authoritarianism

What comes after democratic breakdown.

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Reposted by Saskia Brechenmacher

Atul Gawande @agawande.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

Rubio claims that @USAID lifesaving assistance for health and humanitarian needs will continue. But his team just communicated that the entire agency will be imminently reduced from 14,000 to 294 people. Just 12 in Africa.

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Reposted by Saskia Brechenmacher

Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

New — USAID staff received an email just a few minutes ago letting them know HQ would be closed to all personnel Monday. It’s likely some employees will miss the overnight email, show up and be turned away. It was sent by Gavin Kliger, one of the young guys at DOGE doing Musk’s bidding.

To all personnel:
At the direction of Agency leadership, the USAID headquarters at the Ronald Reagan building in Washington, D.C. will be closed to Agency personnel on Monday, February 3, 2025. Agency personnel normally assigned to work at USAID headquarters will work remotely tomorrow, with the exception of personnel with essential on-site and building maintenance functions individually contacted by senior leadership. Further guidance will be forthcoming.

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Reposted by Saskia Brechenmacher

Emily Thorson @emilythorson.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

The sparse news coverage that exists of the Billionaire's Coup is, frankly, incomprehensible to a lay audience. "Treasury payment system" is meaningless jargon to most people. Tell people in plain language "Here is what Trump and Musk are doing, and here is how it affects Americans."

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Reposted by Saskia Brechenmacher

Senator Ron Wyden @wyden.senate.gov · 01/02/2025

NEW: Sources tell my office that Treasury Secretary Bessent has granted DOGE *full* access to this system. Social Security and Medicare benefits, grants, payments to government contractors, including those that compete directly with Musk's own companies. All of it.

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Reposted by Saskia Brechenmacher

Cynthia Richie Terrell @cynthiarterrell.bsky.social · 25/01/2025

Read my #WeekendReading on #WomensRepresentation on @msmagazine.com featuring @saskiabr.bsky.social - patriarchy & authoritarianism @cecilianowell.bsky.social on women majority in NM on @motherjones.com, @roxyszal.bsky.social on Cecile Richards, #ERA & monument to women suffragists in @nytimes.com

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Saskia Brechenmacher @saskiabr.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

This is likely to be very disruptive: State Department not only pauses new foreign aid spending but also issues stop-work order on all US assistance grants and contracts.

devex.com

Exclusive: State Department issues stop-work order on US aid

The memo puts a pause on new foreign aid spending, as well as a stop-work order for existing grants and contracts.

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Reposted by Saskia Brechenmacher

Steve Vladeck @stevevladeck.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

Trump’s effort to restrict birthright citizenship by executive order is (1) unlawful; (2) predicated on conflating two entirely distinct legal arguments; and (3) doomed to fail in (even these) courts. My “One First” explainer: www.stevevladeck.com/p/bonus-112-...

stevevladeck.com

Bonus 112: Birthright Citizenship, "Invasions," and the Supreme Court

President Trump has vowed to go after birthright citizenship on his first day in office. He's going to lose, but in a way that may well provide cover for other controversial immigration measures

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Reposted by Saskia Brechenmacher

Deborah Pearlstein @debpearlstein.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

Maybe its a good time for a little Executive Order (EO) primer, a few wee tools for sorting wheat from chaff so it seems like less of a deluge. Item 1. EOs have to comply with the Constitution & laws, including acts of Congress. Any that don't will face long court battles before anything changes. /1

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Reposted by Saskia Brechenmacher

Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

Normal stuff

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Saskia Brechenmacher @saskiabr.bsky.social · 11/12/2024

Check out this new paper on democratic resilience published by the @europeandemocracyhub.epd.eu! The authors - @fromagehomme.bsky.social & Marie-Eve Desrosiers et al. - offer five lessons for practitioners and reformers working on democratic renewal: europeandemocracyhub.epd.eu/wp-content/u...

europeandemocracyhub.epd.eu

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