Democracy Research Articles

The challenges of media and information literacy in the artificial intelligence ecology: deepfakes and misinformation

In the ecosystem of artificial intelligence (AI), generative models enable the creation of hyper-realistic manipulations that are extremely plausible due to the precision of the audiovisual objects. These deepfakes are undetectable thanks to their components, which heightens concerns about the distortion of reality in the information ecosystem and how the ability to distinguish between real and fake audiovisual content affects public trust and democratic systems. This is a major challenge for media and information literacy if it is to combat misinfor­mation effectively. In this context, this study presents the results of a quasi-experiment conducted with 80 young people from the Community of Madrid (Spain) to assess their ability to detect deepfakes in immersive environments and to establish whether the context-identifying elements that enable detection of the reputation of the media source shape the credibility of the images. The results show that the images take precedence over the context identifiers, preventing a critical reading of the information that would make it possible to detect visual forgeries, something that is reinforced by their exceptional verisimilitude. It is concluded that the new post-humanist biome of virtual reality and artificial intelligence requires a reorien­tation of media and information literacy to raise the public’s awareness and educate them to make them less susceptible to disinformation based on deepfakes created with generative models.

THE PHENOMENON OF FAJR ATTACKS IN THE ELECTIONS

This research focuses on the phenomenon of fajr raids in elections analyzed using Hasbi Ash-Shidieqy’s interpretation of Q.S. Al-Baqarah [2]: 188. As a country with a democratic political system, Indonesia holds a democratic party called elections every 5 years to elect representatives of the people. The People’s democratic party, which is expected to give birth to honest leaders who are free from corruption, collusion, and nepotism, instead brings new corrupt seeds. This is based on the election system that has been corrupted by money politics. All means are used by prospective leaders to smooth their way to winning the election. Candidates distribute money to the public to buy people’s votes covered with the word alms. The purpose of this study is to identify the relationship between the phenomenon of fajr raids that often occur before elections with Q.S. Al-Baqarah [2]: 188. The method used in this research is descriptive-qualitative by using literature review. The results of this study indicate that the narrative of the Qur’anic text in Q.S. Al-Baqarah [2]: 188 indicates the prohibition of taking and controlling other people’s property in a way that is not justified by shara, including the practice of fajr attacks in elections because it is classified as rashwah. The gift is not based on sincerity because they expect the public to vote for the one who gave the fajr attack.

Technical Innovations and Social Implications: Mapping Global Research Focus in AI, Blockchain, Cybersecurity, and Privacy

This study examines the balance between technical and social focus in artificial intelligence, blockchain, cybersecurity, and privacy publications in Web of Science across countries, exploring the social factors that influence these research priorities. We use regression analysis to identify predictors of research focus and cluster analysis to reveal patterns across countries, combining these methods to provide a broader view of global research priorities. Our findings reveal that liberal democracy index, life expectancy, and happiness are significant predictors of research focus, while traditional indicators like education and income show weaker relationships. This unexpected result challenges conventional assumptions about the drivers of research priorities in digital technologies. The study identifies distinct clusters of countries with similar patterns of research focus across the four technologies, revealing previously unrecognized global typologies. Notably, more democratic societies tend to emphasize social implications of technologies, while some rapidly developing countries focus more on technical aspects. These findings suggest that political and social factors may play a larger role in shaping research agendas than previously thought, necessitating a re-evaluation of how we understand and predict research focus in rapidly evolving technological fields. The study provides valuable information for policymakers and researchers, informing strategies for technological development and international collaboration in an increasingly digital world.

Parental Rights Over Transgender Youth: Furthering a Pressing and Substantial Objective?

Parental rights are increasingly being invoked to oppose the growing inclusion of trans youth in education. Recently, some provinces have proposed or adopted laws and policies predicated on the belief that parents have a right to be informed of their child’s choice of name and pronouns at schools and that trans youth should not be allowed to change the names and pronouns they use at school without parental consent, which I term “blanket veto and disclosure laws.” In this article, I explore whether blanket veto and disclosure laws can be justified under two dominant conceptions of parental rights — parental authority and parental entitlement. Using the framework provided by section 1 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, I argue that blanket disclosure and veto laws cannot be justified under either conception of parental rights. Conceived as protection of parental authority, blanket veto and disclosure laws are unjustified because they are not rationally or narrowly tailored to their objective. Conceived as protection of parental entitlement, the laws are unjustified because their objective is inconsistent with the values of a free and democratic society. Regardless of the conception of parental rights we adopt, blanket veto and disclosure laws are constitutionally and politically deficient.

Cross-country comparison analysis of individual and institutional factors of anomie and online offending

This article addresses the gap in the literature by empirically assessing a cross-national comparison of institutional anomie theory (IAT) and self-reported cyberoffending. We used survey data from Finland, Hungary, and the United States to examine the relationship between institutional anomie and cybercrime. Each country represents different types of societies, which makes them interesting cases for cross-national comparison. With Hungary representing a conservative welfare regime, Finland a social democratic welfare regime, and the United States a liberal welfare regime, we predict that the more political regimes intervene in economic relations and support non-economic institutions, the less applicable IAT's variables will be in predicting cybercrime perpetration. In line with these predictions, binomial regression models suggest that IAT works best in the United States, where individualism, achievement, and fetishism of money increased the indices of cybercrime offending. IAT variables were less useful in predicting cybercrime offending in the other nations. Yet, also in line with our prediction, family has a strong external control function in Finland, protecting participants from cybercrime offending. However, no IAT indexes achieved statistical significance in Hungary, where a work-based welfare system suppresses family-related values. Education has a mixed effect on cybercrime offending. Thus, IAT is valuable for understanding cybercrime offending; however, it should be examined in more countries with social institutions and individual value systems different from that of the United States.

Procedural Justice, Representation, and Institutional Trust in Mexico

Both theoretical and empirical studies suggest that confidence in institutions is crucial for the functioning of democratic political systems and is an important element of the citizen–state relationship. Trust in institutions has been mainly explained in terms of institutional performance or as an extension of interpersonal trust. Using data from the 2020 National Survey of Civic Culture (Encuesta Nacional de Cultura Cívica), we examined the determinants of Mexicans’ trust in two institutions elected via popular vote: Congress and the Presidency. We focus on procedural justice and representation to account for trust in both institutions. We found positive relationships (of different magnitudes) between citizens’ trust in both Congress and the Presidency and the indicators of perceived representation, procedural justice, institutional performance, and interpersonal trust. In addition, we found different and significant effects of party identification on trust levels in both institutions.

Exploring the Dimensions of Religious Freedom: A Global and Comparative Analysis

Religion constitutes a fundamental aspect of the cultural and spiritual lives of individuals globally, encompassing an array of traditions, rituals, and practices. Within the context of liberal democracy's evolution, religion emerges as a critical element of political liberty and personal conscience. On an international scale, the right to religious freedom has been established as a core human right, essential for the sustenance of democratic governance. Despite its recognition, the right to religious liberty remains a highly contentious issue. Even in democracies that provide constitutional protections for religious freedom, debates persist regarding the extensive interpretation and implementation of this right, particularly concerning the rights of religious minorities within these nations. This study explores the concept of religious freedom as a globally recognized right, examining its representation and interpretation across various international and regional legal frameworks. Through this analysis, the paper endeavors to provide a comprehensive overview of religious freedom on both a global and regional scale. Furthermore, it delves into the state of religious freedom in various political systems, ranging from democracies such as United States to theocracies and monarchies like the United Kingdom and countries characterized by a strict demarcation between religion and state affairs, exemplified by France's secularist approach.

Democracy as a Goal and a Driving Force for Development: The Case Study of Vietnam

The article explores the complex interplay between democracy and development in Vietnam, a country with a unique historical and political context. Through document analysis, it examines the legal and political reforms implemented since the Doi Moi in 1986 to understand how democratic elements have contributed to Vietnam's socio-economic development. We argue that, despite existing challenges, the integration of democratic principles into Vietnam's development framework serves not only as an ultimate goal but also as a powerful catalyst for economic innovation, human development, and sustainable governance. The conclusion emphasizes that to maintain sustainable and inclusive development, Vietnam must continue its commitment to democratic values by improving governance mechanisms, expanding citizen participation, increasing transparency, and ensuring that development processes reflect the needs of the people. Only by deeply integrating these principles into its development strategy can Vietnam achieve long-term growth and stability.

PRESIDENTIAL IMPEACHMENT IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA & THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA

Presidential impeachment serves as a constitutional mechanism to safeguard against executive overreach and uphold democratic principles such as the rule of law and separation of powers. This paper examines presidential impeachment processes and outcomes in the United States of America (USA) and the Republic of Korea (ROK), addressing the extent to which they reflect the principles of the rule of law. In the USA, impeachment rests within the legislative branch, with trials conducted by elected politicians, leading to minimal pres- idential accountability. Conversely, in the ROK, the impeachment process is overseen by an independent judiciary and demonstrates greater accountability, justness—through precedent-based decisions—and impartiality—reflecting democratic representation. The approach of the ROK, while more challenging to implement directly due to the structure of its parliamentary system, highlights ways in which the impeachment process in the USA could potentially be en- hanced, emphasising the importance of institutional independence in upholding the rule of law.

The British NHS at 75: Past, Contemporary, and Future Challenges.

This article assesses how and why the National Health Service (NHS) has remained at the forefront of British politics and society for 75 years amid significant economic pressures, organizational strain, shifting ideological trends, ongoing reforms, and an unprecedented public health emergency. The postwar "years of consensus" evolved into alleged decline and ostensible neglect during the 1980s, while New Labour sought to rejuvenate this core public service after 1997, featuring investment and often controversial reforms that challenged the party's social democratic values. Amid the New Labour era, NHS powers filtered down to devolved administrations, while from 2008 retrenchment and austerity ensued, fueled by global recession. Austerity eventually subsided, yet from early 2020 the NHS swiftly faced the extreme conditions of the globalized Covid-19 pandemic. The service continues to face challenges regarding its longer-term viability, and this article analyzes this scenario, within the context of the NHS's 75-year historical legacy, its contemporary status, comparative international trends, and likely future evolution.

POWER OF EDUCATION IN SHAPING DEMOCRATIC CITIZENSHIP AND GOOD GOVERNANCE

Education is a fundamental pillar in the establishment and sustenance of democratic societies. This study explores the intricate relationship between education, democratic citizenship, and good governance. By examining various educational frameworks and their impact on civic engagement, political awareness, and governance quality, the research underscores the transformative power of education in fostering democratic principles. The analysis is grounded in theoretical perspectives and empirical evidence drawn from diverse contexts. It highlights how education promotes critical thinking, informed decision-making, and active participation in democratic processes. Moreover, the study delves into the role of education in cultivating a sense of civic responsibility and ethical governance among citizens. Key findings reveal that comprehensive educational systems that emphasize civic education, human rights, and democratic values significantly contribute to the development of informed and engaged citizens. Such citizens are more likely to demand accountability, transparency, and ethical behavior from their leaders, thereby enhancing governance quality. The study also addresses challenges such as educational inequality and access disparities that hinder the full realization of education’s potential in democratic consolidation. Policy recommendations are offered to strengthen educational strategies that support democratic citizenship and good governance.

Platform liability, hate speech and the fundamental right to free speech

ABSTRACT In contemporary society, the rise of social media has dramatically transformed the sharing of information, bypassing traditional editorial and governmental controls. This shift has enabled rapid global information sharing but also raised concerns about the influence of social media platforms, even in democratic societies. Legislative responses, such as Germany's Network Enforcement Act of 2017, mandated swift removal of illegal content, influencing over twenty other nations to enact similar laws. These regulations often target hate speech but risk suppressing political opposition, particularly in authoritarian regimes. The European Union’s Digital Services Act came into force in 2024 and imposes stringent removal obligations on platforms. This enhanced platform regulation pushes companies towards the use of automated content moderation for purposes of meeting those obligations. A 2024 report found a substantial majority (87.5% to 99.7%) of deleted comments on Facebook and YouTube in France, Germany, and Sweden were legally permissible, suggesting that platforms, pages, or channels may be over-removing content to avoid regulatory penalties. Against the backdrop of this recent data, the paper examines the possible impact of stringent platform liability legislation on free speech in the ambit of hate speech, focusing on the delicate balance between regulation and freedom of expression.

Legal challenges of the post-third wave of democracy: The European Union

Introduction: The development of democracy in the twenty-first century is a key factor determining global relations in the context of globalization. Socio-political transformations are of great importance, as their adequacy affects the duration and effectiveness of the development of societies and the preservation of national identity. Democratization, aimed at establishing a democratic system, has undergone significant changes in different historical periods, including the French Revolution. The purpose of this paper is to identify the legal challenges of the third wave of democracy in the European Union (EU) and ways to address them.Methods: To study the legal challenges of the post-third wave of democracy in the European Union, a comprehensive methodology was used that combines various research approaches and tools such as the comparative analysis, systems analysis, historical analysis, and philosophical analysis.Results: The article highlights the current aspects and challenges experienced by the European Union in the period after the third wave of democratic reforms. The authors analyze the development of political and legal systems of the EU countries. In particular, they examine the constitutional reform, the role of the rule of law and the state of civil society in the context of strengthening democracy. Special attention is paid to the role of international organizations in supporting democratic values and strengthening the legal system.Conclusions: This article presents a valuable contribution to understanding the current challenges and prospects for the democracy development in the European Union under conditions of globalization

Sound of Democracy: Towards the democratisation of standards for soundscapes

With this paper and the accompanying audio paper, our aim is to explore the juxtaposition of sound and democracy. Recognizing the multifaceted nature of this field, we approach it through the notion of care and an empirical analysis of democratic implications of trying to regulate sound in public spaces. We examine standards as one example of the many attempts to control sound in both public and private spaces. Standards are used to categorize, govern, and control. They are also tools to assess and characterise. As policy tools they raise democratic questions relating to who developed them, when and how they are used. Using the example of a shopping mall, we explore the democratic values reflected in the standards through their development and application through an inter-disciplinary perspective. We used the audio paper format to move from discussing the process of developing the soundscape standards to applying them in a real-world setting, ultimately exploring the consequences of such standards from the perspective of democratic values. The present written paper is a longer elaboration on methodology and theory as a compliment to the audio paper which develops the discussion and analysis.

The Fragility of Democracy: Political Conflict in South Asia

The complex interplay between political conflict and democratic fragility in South Asia is the focus of this research paper. The study examines South Asia to understand how conflict catalyzes and hinders democratic progress. The research delves deep into the root causes of conflict, including socio-economic disparities, ethnic and religious tensions, and institutional weaknesses. It analyzes how conflict can trigger democratic reforms through popular mobilization and erode governance and institutions. The study highlights the fragility of democratic systems in the face of deep-rooted conflicts and the challenges of balancing competing interests. It underscores the need for South Asian nations to address underlying grievances to strengthen democratic institutions and foster inclusive dialogue to navigate conflict constructively and secure a stable democratic future. The research employs a qualitative approach, relying on a comprehensive literature review and case study analysis to draw insights into the multifaceted relationship between political conflict and democratic development in the selected region.

Batu city bawaslu strategy in preventing political money in the 2024 election

The aim of this research is to broaden understanding in political education and expand knowledge in Pancasila and citizenship education. Because Indonesia is a country that adheres to a democratic system which is carried out through elections and regional elections, the main aim of the research is how to find out problems in elections, namely money politics which is used as a tool in winning contestations. And what is the role and response of the community to money politics, as well as to find out regulatory weaknesses that cause weak election law enforcement. The method used in this research uses descriptive qualitative and legal and regulatory instruments to strengthen credible data, and obtains data through interviews with Batu City Bawaslu commissioners. The results prove that society is very indifferent to electoral developments and problems, as well as the weakness of applicable laws and regulations. Bawaslu increases participatory supervision to maintain the quality of democracy

Governing Silicon Valley and Shenzhen: Assessing a New Era of Artificial Intelligence Governance in the United States and China

This article examines recent developments in artificial intelligence (AI) governance in the United States (US) and China, exploring their implications for each country’s development trajectory. Drawing on a framework informed by the philosophy of technology, the article delves into not only the differences between the two countries’ approaches but also the reasons behind these differences. The US, after years of industry self-regulation, is slowly moving towards concrete legislation, while China is centralizing its development and regulatory initiatives. Despite China’s expressed desire for values-pluralistic international governance, existing tensions between the two, coupled with the US’s burgeoning coalition centered around AI with “democratic values,” might pose challenges to collaboration and international governance. Nonetheless, the article contends that both systems can be accommodated within a values-pluralistic human rights framework, potentially paving the way for meaningful international governance efforts.

Emotion Narratives on the Political Culture of Radical Right Populist Parties in Portugal and Italy

The growth of radical right politics raises concerns about authoritarian and exclusionary scenarios, while populism is understood as a logic that articulates democratic demands and strengthens political engagement. There is a lack of research on the democratic views of radical right populism. Moreover, the burgeoning literature on these phenomena generally examines either the supply or demand side of politics, neglecting the narrative dimension that emerges from the two intertwining. This article aims to fill these gaps by using the heuristic of the “emotion narrative” that circulates between the supply and demand sides of radical right populist parties to examine their political culture. Assuming that populism creates social identities through the affective articulation of popular demands, focusing on the “narrative of emotions” (and not only on the narrative dimension of particular emotions) allows us to analyse how social and political objects, facts, ideas, and scenarios generate political culture. Through a mixed-methods comparative study of Portugal and Italy, this article assesses the emotion narratives of the parties Chega and Fratelli d’Italia. The dataset includes 14 semi-structured interviews with MPs and an original survey with 1,900 responses regarding political realities (on the democratic system, power structures, ethnic diversity, political history, and role of the media) and hypothetical scenarios (on authoritarianism, the rise of migration and diversity, anti-corruption, securitisation of the state, and expanded use of referendums). The emotion narratives of radical right populist political cultures engender democratic visions rooted in exclusionary identities with positive affection for centralism, authoritarianism, and securitisation of the state, as opposed to innovation and participation.

Comparative Analysis of Economic Policy Stability between Monarchical and Republican Systems: A Theoretical Fundamental Research

The difference between monarchies and republics stems from the variation in the sources of authority and the nature of leadership transition. However, the similarity lies in the fundamental tasks accomplished by political systems, as they represent the structures and institutions that manage the relationships between the ruler and the governed within the state. These systems are responsible for organizing public life and achieving stability. The core tasks differ according to the nature of the political systems, whether they are monarchies, republics, or (democratic, authoritarian, or others). Each system has its own features and characteristics that impact the state's stability, either positively or negatively.

Salafism, neo-salafism, and post-salafism. Evolutions of a radical current of Islam in France

ABSTRACT The issue of Salafism has become central to public debate in France today. While the Salafi movement in France has been portrayed in politics and media alike as a major security threat opposed to republican principles, its sociology reveals more complex patterns than one of radicalism alone, especially from a long-term perspective. An empirical analysis of discourses, behaviours and mobilization strategies within these puritanical fundamentalist communities leads us to hypothesize that since the early 2000s, the radicalism initially displayed by Salafism has proved unsustainable. Through looking at the long-term life trajectories of Salafi believers, we propose an overview of the different biographic scenarios that characterize these actors. What can we say about the way in which they have reinforced, reformulated, nuanced, or broken their ties with their Salafi socialisation? We show that Salafism in France today can be characterized as a fundamentalism diluted by a broader global dynamic of distrust towards violence and classic forms of political militancy, while at the same time maintaining claims to certain forms of religious radicalism. Based on a micro-sociological approach, we examine whether the respective prefixes ‘neo’ or ‘post’ most accurately characterize the long-term evolution of French Salafism.