Noted recall: The goal is to describe, in just a few words, what the article is about. Additionally, if I think the article is particularly note-worthy (good or bad), I will comment on that. Compare this to a small sticky note, something to jog your memory about the contents of an article. Of course, if I miss the point of an article, or fail to find anything remarkable, that is entirely the fault of the reviewer.
Available at: https://www.journalofdemocracy.org/issue/april-2019/
Confronting Authoritarianism - Anwar Ibrahim
(read 2019/07/23)
Finally getting back to regular readings, first thing I've read in awhile. Article is mostly about democracy in Malaysia, outreach, transition of power to different power. Short but pleasant article to start reading again.
Weaponizing Interpol - Edward Lemon
(read 2019/07/24)
Really informative article about Interpol. Background, what it is. Primarily focuses on "red notices" and "diffusions" that are sent out. How this affects the person targeted -- makes it difficult to travel, get a job, open a bank account. Lack of transparency; hard to know if you are on a list; hard to get removed from a list even when you should.
Memory in the Era of Xi Jinping - Glenn Tiffert
(read 2019/07/24)
Really short article, discusses Tiennamen's influence on Xi, and how that shapes a lot of his decisions. Focus on censorship and digital media; chilling effect on academics.
Populists in Power - Takis S. Pappas
(read 2019-07-25)
A look at seven populist leaders since 1945. Argentina, Greece, Peru, Italy, Venezuela, Ecuador, Hungary. What populist government is; the majority vs everyone else. How leaders shift government after being elected; focus on loyalty, strengthen executive branch at the expense of legislative and judiciary. Different reasons leaders fail to maintain power.
Democracy in Retreat - Nate Schenkkan and Sarah Repucci
(read 2019/07/25)
Discussion of the Freedom House Survey for 2018; rating of political freedom and civil liberties.Continued decline of freedom in the United States. The 13th consecutive year of global (aggregate) decline. Decline of liberalism; rise of populism and authoritarianism. Increase in ethnic cleansing. Rise of digital censorship.
Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights - Eileen Donahoe and Megan MacDuffee Metzger
(read 2019/07/27)
Starts with very detailed but very brief overview of challenges of AI; lack of transparency in understanding, implicit biases in training data. Some current concerns about ethics and misuse of AI technology, like facial recognition. Remainder of article is then focused on human rights. Argues that while the technology is new, most of the concerns are mostly already covered by the UN declaration of human rights, but need to make it more explicit.