Democracy Research Articles

The Inevitable Danger of Faction in James Madison’s Formulation of Society

This study based on the Federalist No.10, one of the most significant political papers of American history written by James Madison, discusses about the cause of factions, which was seen as an unavoidable threat of democratic society. Madison believed that the diversity and liberty of democratic society allowed citizens to follow their different interests, and the majority rule pushed people who had a mutual goal together for a bigger voice to influence the government decision. The three elements were essential and necessary to the democracy, so the factions derived from them were inevitable.

Citizens’ Free Access to Information. The Case of Local Institutions from Rural Areas of the North-Western Region from Romania

This study examines the extent to which local authorities in rural North-West Romania adhere to the requirements set forth in Law no. 544 of 2001, which mandates the ex officio public information disclosure online. The findings suggest a relatively low level of transparency, with notable discrepancies observed across communes. While larger communes exhibited slightly elevated levels of compliance, population size exerted a limited influence on transparency. Additionally, the study revealed no statistically significant correlation between the gender of mayors and transparency. This may be attributed to the limited representation of female mayors in the sample. Similarly, while the presence of businesses demonstrated some influence on transparency, it was not a robust predictor. These findings underscore the necessity for more robust enforcement mechanisms, including penalties for non-compliance, to guarantee compliance with transparency laws. Furthermore, the study highlights the necessity of considering a broader array of factors, including local governance practices, institutional capacity, and citizen engagement, when evaluating transparency outcomes. It would be beneficial for future research to expand to other regions and consider a longitudinal approach to monitor changes over time. The study underscores the pivotal role of transparency in cultivating public trust, curbing corruption, and strengthening democratic governance.

DEMOCRATIC EDUCATION: IMPLICATIONS FOR TEACHING WORK

The school curriculum plays a fundamental role in the civic education of students, directly influencing their skills and social values. Through formal education, the curriculum contributes to the development of critical, reflective and participatory skills, necessary for conscious action in society. Civic education involves not only theoretical knowledge, but also the construction of practices and attitudes that promote democratic coexistence and respect for diversity. Thus, education focused on citizenship must consider cultural, ethical and political aspects, promoting the active engagement of students. The general objective of this article is to analyze how the school curriculum contributes to the civic education of students. The specific objectives are: - to identify the pedagogical practices present in the curriculum that foster citizenship; - to verify the presence of content that encourages critical thinking and social participation; - to evaluate the importance of interdisciplinarity in the construction of a civic education. The research problem that guides this study is: In what way does the school curriculum contribute to the civic education of students? The methodology used was bibliographic, based on a literature review of works that address the relationship between school curriculum and citizenship. The results indicate that a curriculum that integrates democratic principles, social values, and practices of mutual respect favors the development of critical and participatory citizens. The discussion reinforces the need for an interdisciplinary approach that takes into account the diversity and multiple realities of students. It is concluded that the school curriculum must be constantly reviewed and adapted to meet social demands and to educate individuals capable of acting ethically and responsibly in society, fully exercising their rights and duties as citizens.

EDUCAÇÃO INFANTIL E A SUA IMPORTÂNCIA NO DESENVOLVIMENTO DAS CRIANÇAS

Early childhood education is an essential phase in children's development, which covers the first years of life, generally up to the age of five. This period is crucial for children's cognitive, emotional, social and physical development, providing the foundation for future learning. Early childhood education is not limited to teaching academic content, but also focuses on stimulating children's curiosity, creativity, autonomy and socio-emotional skills. Through playful, interactive activities focused on sensory experience, children explore the world around them, develop their language, motor coordination and social skills. In addition, early childhood education plays an essential role in promoting equal opportunities, social inclusion and preparing them for life in society. Therefore, investing in the quality and universal access to early childhood education is important to ensure the healthy and equitable development of children and to build a more just and democratic society in the future.

Narratives, expectations, and policy criteria for a democratic and socially engaging energy transition

Energy transition policies can be translated into narratives about how energy systems should change (e.g., towards a centralised or decentralised system). These narratives tend to reflect expectations, priorities, and perceptions on feasibility and the social acceptability of different policy options, as well as long-term goals and trade-offs, all of which influence policy criteria. Taking as its case study Portugal and the implementation of European directives there, this study aims to characterise energy transition narratives (e.g. a swift transformation to renewables) and interrelated policy criteria (e.g., participation of local communities), focusing on expectations for a socially engaging and democratic energy transition. The analysis builds on the results of a Delphi survey with 10 expert stakeholders, a citizens’ survey (n=500), and a workshop with 19 participants. It identifies the most relevant criteria to stakeholders, as well as the importance of different underlying expectations, meanings, and attitudes shaping narratives about energy system futures. The findings indicate that criteria interrelated to narratives which highlight a promise of democratic energy governance may be less important for energy transition policies, and therefore undermine energy democracy goals. The conclusion highlights suggestions for policy and future research more likely to foster sociopolitical acceptance.

The Impact of Political Interference on the Judiciary: India Vs. Pakistan

This paper investigates the significant effects of political interference on the judiciary in India and Pakistan, two countries with a common colonial history but differing paths since gaining independence. The judiciary serves as a fundamental pillar of democratic governance, designed to function independently while protecting the rule of law and upholding constitutional rights. Nevertheless, in both nations, political influences have notably affected judicial operations, compromised judicial independence and eroding public confidence. Through a comparative examination, this study highlights important historical moments, landmark rulings, and constitutional frameworks that demonstrate the degree and nature of political interference within both judicial systems. In India, such interference has emerged through executive control over judicial appointments and crises, notably during the Emergency period from 1975 to 1977. In contrast, Pakistan's judiciary has experienced direct meddling from military governments and political authorities, frequently rationalized by the contentious Doctrine of Necessity. Additionally, the paper investigates how the judiciary has responded to these interferences, including instances of judicial activism and civil society initiatives that promote judicial independence, such as the Lawyers' Movement in Pakistan. Ultimately, this research emphasizes the urgent need for strong protections to ensure judicial independence, bolster public trust in the judiciary, and maintain democratic principles in both countries. By highlighting the comparative experiences of India and Pakistan, this study aims to enrich the broader discussion on judicial independence in South Asia.

Mapping the Out-of-Pocket Healthcare Costs for Terminal Cancer Patients across Europe

Abstract Background In many countries, including those with universal health insurance, cost-sharing for healthcare is prevalent, resulting in out-of-pocket expenses for cancer patients. However, the proportion of government contribution to national healthcare expenditure varies across countries. This study aims to determine the prevalence and magnitude of out-of-pocket expenditure among cancer decedents in their final year of life and to assess whether decedents’ characteristics or their country’s welfare regime have a greater impact on out-of-pocket expenditure. Methods SHARE data was analyzed for individuals aged 50 and above from seven European countries (including Israel) who passed away from cancer. Interviews were conducted with the decedents’ family members to gather information about out-of-pocket expenditure on behalf of their deceased relatives. Results The study identified 1,950 cancer decedents with an average age of 74.4 (S.D.=9.39), of which 58.0 percent were male. In their last year of life, 58 percent of the decedents incurred out-of-pocket expenditure on healthcare services. The welfare regime is found to be the primary factor influencing the likelihood of out-of-pocket expenditure, while patients’ characteristics have minimal impact. The proportion of out-of-pocket expenditure varies significantly across welfare regimes, with the highest probability observed in the Continental and Social Democratic regimes and the lowest in the Mediterranean and East European regimes. Conclusions A country’s welfare regime plays a crucial role in determining the generosity of its public healthcare spending and its ability to alleviate the financial burden on the households of cancer patients. Increasing public funding for cancer care may reduce patients’ out-of-pocket expenditure in all countries, particularly in those where out-of-pocket expenditure is the highest. Key messages • A country’s welfare regime significantly impacts the likelihood and magnitude of out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure for cancer patients in their last year of life. • Increasing public funding for cancer care may help reduce the financial burden on patients and their families, particularly in countries with high out-of-pocket expenditure.

Welfare regimes and socioeconomic inequalities in edentulism: A multilevel analysis of 40 countries

Abstract Aim To evaluate the association between welfare regimes with edentulism and to investigate if it modifies the magnitude of socioeconomic inequalities in edentulism. Methods We analysed data from 40 high-, middle- and low-income countries collected between 2007 and 2018, encompassing 117397 individuals 20 years or older. The main outcome was edentulism and welfare regimes were the main exposure and effect modifier. Individual level variables were sex, age and quintiles of the wealth score. Multilevel logistic regression was used to estimate the odds of being edentulous and cross-level interaction terms between individual wealth and country factors were tested. Findings Individuals at the lowest wealth quintile had a consistently higher prevalence of edentulism. The highest age-sex standardised prevalence of edentulism was found in Eastern European countries (9.9%) followed by Informal Security (9.4%), while the lowest was among the Insecurity regime (1.4%) followed by the Social Democratic regime (4.7%). Liberal countries presented the highest magnitude of absolute and relative inequalities, where the lowest quintile had OR = 16.7 (95%CI: 10.5-26.5) times more chances of being edentulous and 14.4 percentage points higher prevalence. Low-income countries in the Insecurity Regime in social and labour market presented the lowest level of inequalities. Among HIC and upper-middle income countries, Social Democratic regime had the lowest absolute inequalities (4.0 percentage points difference between highest and lowest quintiles) and the Informal Security regime had the lowest relative differences between the highest and lowest quintiles (OR = 3.21, 95%CI: 2.83-3.63). Interpretation Our findings suggest that policies in some welfare regimes might improve oral health while reducing inequalities. High and upper-middle-income countries presented a high level of edentulism and inequalities. Key messages • Larger socioeconomic inequalities in edentulism were found in high-income countries with liberal policies. • A possible benefit of welfare policies on prevalence and inequalities in edentulism may be only evident among industrialised countries.

Trust the People? Populism, Trust, and Support for Direct Democracy

Populism is commonly understood as a response to frustrations with the functioning of modern democracy, while the use of direct democratic mechanisms has been hailed as a remedy for the ailing of representative democracies. Indeed, populism’s emphasis on direct citizen participation in decision-making is tightly linked to its distrust of representative institutions and the political elite as the cornerstone of mediated representation. Trust, however, matters for any functioning democratic institutional arrangement, and we contend that its role warrants more attention when considering the viability of alternative modes of decision-making such as referendums, particularly in the nexus of populism–democracy. Using original public opinion surveys implemented in Argentina, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Spain, we distinguish among different objects of trust—elites, institutions, “the people,” or the society at large. We also explore citizens’ levels of trust in these objects and their association with institutional designs of direct democracy. Our results offer preliminary insights into the importance of horizontal and vertical trust relationships in shaping procedural preferences for different configurations of direct democracy.

Left, right or something else? José Ortega y Gasset’s intellectual influence in the ideological realm

The Spanish philosopher José Ortega y Gasset has influenced several thinkers of the twentieth century, among whom Julius Evola, Ayn Rand, and Pierre Bourdieu specifically have been examined in this article. The selection of thinkers indicates that Ortega has influenced both those on the left and those on the various strands of the right. In relation to Evola, Ortega’s critique of the emergent masses in the age of modern democracy has been emphasized, although they do not share the same overarching social philosophy as Ortega is essentially a proponent of liberalism which Evola fiercely opposes. Regarding Rand, there are striking affinities between Ortega’s major work Revolt of the Masses and Rand’s The Virtue of Selfishness in relation to personal responsibility and the state’s role in providing welfare. Bourdieu, on his behalf, has manifestly linked his reasoning in his major work Distinction to Ortega’s work The Dehumanization of Art. Overall, this shows that Ortega’s philosophy has an impact on both the left and the right.

THE RUSSIAN-UKRAINIAN WAR AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY: MAIN DIRECTIONS, PROBLEMS AND SOME LESSONS OF WESTERN SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE

Despite the heroic resistance of Ukrainians, in particular the Armed Forces of Ukraine, during the current Russian-Ukrainian war, without effective assistance, especially military, from the Western democratic world, Ukraine would hardly have withstood the Russian aggressor's more than two-year-long large-scale armed invasion and would have been able to preserve national statehood and the Ukrainian nation from genocide and destruction in the event of a protracted war of attrition. For such a war, Ukraine will need at least $150 billion a year, which can only be provided by its Western partners. And the World Bank estimates that over the next 10 years, about $500 billion will be needed to rebuild Ukraine's war-torn infrastructure, which is more than Ukraine's GDP, so without investment and financial assistance from our partners, we will not be able to find these resources in the country either. The purpose of the article is to systematise the huge amount of information available in accessible/open sources about the central, fateful event of modern international relations - Russia's war against Ukraine and the international community's attitude to it, in particular, to highlight the main directions, problems and some preliminary lessons of Western support for Ukraine in its resistance to Russian aggression, which can already be outlined in the third year of the large-scale war. Russia's unprovoked and brutal large-scale armed attack on Ukraine in February 2022 left no choice but to recognise this aggression as an attack on European and Euro-Atlantic democratic values and the fundamental principles on which the United Nations is built. This was a manifestation of the next stage of Russia's global hybrid war against the West. Unprecedented international support for Ukraine and powerful pressure on the aggressor country - Russia - is manifested in active political, financial, military, and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine from EU and NATO member states and other countries. In total, more than 50 countries provide such assistance to Ukraine during the war. However, our Western partners do not yet have a common strategic plan for the Russian-Ukrainian war and its victorious conclusion, and in the third year of the war, they are increasingly talking about different options for peace talks with the aggressor, so Ukraine must develop its own grand strategy, which should be based on the fact that war and peace coexist and that Russia poses a long-term threat to it and the entire democratic world.

Aftermath of the Fourth Taiwan Strait Crisis: Media Discourse Analysis of Taiwan and India’s Perception of China’s Threat

This study examines Taiwan and India’s media discourse and political elite statements from 1 July 2022 to 1 October 2023, starting from the fourth Taiwan Strait crisis in 2022. We conducted a discourse analysis of over 121,901 news texts using extensive data analysis and text-mining software. Additionally, our research team conducted expert focus group discussions with renowned think tanks and research centres in New Delhi, India. Building upon the data text analysis findings, we further explored India’s stance on the Taiwan Strait conflict, its perception of the Chinese threat and the impact of the ongoing ‘new normal’ crisis on India’s Indo-Pacific strategic layout. The aim was to uncover common security needs and intersecting interests between the two countries, considering their different national interests and geopolitical considerations. Based on the analysis of textual mining and expert discussions, this study reveals the following: First, India is concerned about the current situation in the Taiwan Strait. Second, the current tensions in the Taiwan Strait will influence India’s strategic layout. Third, there is a growing consensus within India regarding the Chinese threat. In light of these findings, this study suggests that Taiwan and India share interests in democratic values, maritime traffic security and high-tech industry supply chains. Taiwan possesses expertise in China studies and a deep understanding of China’s military threat, while Taiwan and India possess specific technological capabilities. Based on these foundations, there are potential opportunities for further dialogue, exchange and cooperation in relevant fields between India and Taiwan.

Political Communication Research is Unprepared for the Far Right

ABSTRACT In this introductory piece to a special issue of the Forum, we explore the inadequacies of the field of political communication in addressing the rising threats posed by illiberalism and the far right. We argue that the discipline’s frameworks, developed within the context of Western liberal democracies, are ill-equipped to tackle the complexities and self-reflexive strategies of contemporary far-right movements and actor types. These formations exploit liberal norms and practices to ultimately undermine and dismantle democratic values. We call for more “democratic clarity,” urging political communication scholars to adopt a clear stance in defense of democratic principles and to develop more robust conceptual tools to accurately classify and understand far-right actors. We introduce the other discussion pieces featured in this special section and ultimately point to actionable items meant to move the field forward.

Participation in Energy Transitions: A Comparison of Policy Styles

Stakeholder and public participation in policymaking for energy transitions is one of the most promising approaches to fulfilling the promises of a democratic sustainability transition. Over the years, many studies have been published about concepts, methodologies, and empirical results of participatory approaches and implementations. In this paper, we focus on the compatibility of participatory processes with different policy styles of democratic governance. We conducted a systematic literature search comparing different concepts of democratic governance and applying them to public participation, in particular that associated with energy transitions. Our main objective in this paper is to link the requirements for a sustainable energy transition to governance processes and structures; we further aim to delineate suitable formats for stakeholder and public participation. Our analysis provides a basis for a wide-ranging and multi-perspective research agenda that promises to provide a deeper understanding and explanation of complex governance arrangements for energy transitions. The five democratic policy styles that we selected for this review are: autocratic, adversarial, collaborative, reflexive, and inclusive governance. We conclude that none are adequate on their own, and so we put forth a novel hybrid we call the “mediative approach.” From this approach, we derive a new research framework for addressing the current challenges of democratic decision-making in energy transitions. Three pressing questions emerge, one relating to the interplay of top-down and bottom-up modes of governance; a second to the conditions for actor collaboration; and a third to the perception of democratic legitimacy by affected parties.

Decentralized Finance (DeFi) vs. Centralized Finance (CeFi)

This research paper explores the dichotomy between Centralized Finance (CeFi) and Decentralized Finance (DeFi) within the context of the Indian Constitution. It critically analyzes the constitutional implications of both systems, particularly focusing on how centralized authorities may misuse their power to curtail freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution. Additionally, the paper investigates how DeFi can support constitutional values such as privacy, freedom of trade, and equality. Finally, it examines how centralized authorities are actively hindering DeFi-based implementations to maintain control over financial systems, thereby compromising democratic principles.

Comparative Analysis of the Economies of Türkiye and Uzbekistan

The independence of the Central Asian republic of Uzbekistan, described as the Turkic Republic, has added a new dimension to Turkish foreign policy. In this context, relations and cooperation between Turkey and Uzbekistan, where common language, history and cultural ties are shared, have developed rapidly in many areas due to common interests. Turkey's policy towards Uzbekistan is to support the country's continued existence as an independent state that has political and economic stability, is integrated with the international community, and internalizes democratic values. As a matter of fact, Turkey has clearly implemented its strategy and policy on this issue by immediately recognizing Uzbekistan's independence and providing economic support to the country. In this direction, Turkey supports the country with training programs, projects and technical assistance, especially through the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA). In line with this basic strategy, in this study, Uzbekistan and Turkey are evaluated from an economic and sociopolitical perspective and how each country's special location and geopolitical position shapes the strategies they follow.

Opposition and resistance: how judges and professional associations in Poland, Hungary, and Romania defend their independence

ABSTRACT This article investigates how governmental measures aimed at dismantling core liberal democracy principles prompt judges and their professional associations to action. In what ways do they express dissent, if any? Drawing on the cases of Hungary, Romania and Poland, the article shows that the dismantling of core pillars of liberal democracy prompts judges and their professional associations to go beyond judicial dialogue to express forms of opposition and resistance. When the expression of dissent is allowed, judges resort to opposition. When the expression of dissent is limited, judges resort to resistance. Both opposition and resistance can take different forms, conceptualized and illustrated in this article.

Establishing the Effect of Democratic Governance on the Performance of Public Hospitals in Selected Counties in Kenya

Background The study critically evaluates the effect of democratic governance on the performance of public hospitals in Kenyan counties, following the 2010 Constitution that introduced devolved governance. This shift aimed to enhance local decision-making, accountability, and service delivery, specifically in the health sector, by empowering county governments. Democratic governance principles, such as transparency, accountability, and citizen participation are critical for addressing long-standing challenges like inequitable resource distribution, underfunding, and inefficiencies in public health services. This study explored the effect of democratic governance on the performance of public health hospitals in Kenya.  Methodology A mixed-methods approach was employed combining quantitative data from surveys with qualitative insights from interviews with county officials. Factor analysis was used to assess the relationship between democratic governance indicators - transparency, accountability, citizen participation, and public health service performance. Qualitative data, were gathered through interviews and content analysis of responses from county officials complemented the quantitative findings.  Results The study revealed that while democratic governance positively influences the performance of public hospitals in delivering health services in Kenyan counties, there are discrepancies in implementation across counties. Most respondents agreed that public participation and transparency in decision-making are strong, but the accessibility of financial records and county documents remains limited. Factor analysis confirmed that democratic governance significantly impacts health service outcomes, but qualitative findings indicated moderate transparency in financial matters, with only 8.3% of respondents rating transparency as high.  Recommendations To improve the performance of public hospitals in the delivery of health services, county governments should enhance the accessibility of public records, strengthen financial reporting and transparency, and foster deeper citizen engagement in governance. Improved oversight mechanisms and better governance practices are essential for leveraging the benefits of devolved governance.

Democracy, Free Elections, and Gender Equality as Perceived by Recent Immigrants

This study examines how democracy and its political attributes (such as free elections) and social attributes (such as gender equality) are perceived by people who come from nondemocratic countries and have lived for several months in a democratic society. The data were collected in Quebec using an original questionnaire completed by 127 adult immigrants. The results indicate that recent immigrants from nondemocratic countries primarily view democracy as a society based on the rule of law with strong social control. They consider free elections significantly more important to democracy than the possibility to vote for any political party. Contrary to expectations, recent immigrants view gender equality as essential for democracy, although this importance varies according to sphere. Immigrants’ conceptions of democracy also signify the most salient characteristics of the social and physical environment of the host society as the most important democratic features. The study illustrates the multifaceted nature of the process of forming ideas about democracy among immigrants socialized in nondemocratic societies. Not only is theoretical knowledge about democracy as a political system part of these ideas, but everything observed in a democratic society can be perceived as attributes of democracy. The results indicate that immigrants’ impressions of the social and physical environment in their host society should not be overlooked when analyzing their ideas on democracy. Consequently, the study concludes that a more welcoming society can foster more positive visions of democracy among newcomers from nondemocratic countries.

India As a Democratic Nation- Concepts and Perceptive

India, as the world's largest democracy, presents a unique and diverse political landscape. Since gaining independence in 1947, it has upheld democratic ideals amidst challenges of diversity, inequality, and external threats. This paper explores the foundational concepts of Indian democracy, its key features, and its role as a beacon of democratic governance in the global arena. By examining India’s electoral system, constitutional framework, and challenges, we gain insights into how democracy functions in one of the most populous and complex nations in the world.