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/july-2019/
Populism and the Decline of Social Democracy - Sheri Berman and Maria Snegovaya
(read 2019/08/19)
This is a good opening article, though I wish there were more examples given. Tries to explain several recent trends, decline of leftist parties, decline of liberalism, rise of right wing authoritarianism, and rise of populism. That the left tends to do better when focused on economic issues; party can fracture over social and cultural issues. That the right is the opposite, coalesce over social issues, but do better when economic claims are vague. Other big argument in the article is the rise of neoliberalism and globalism; voters tend to leave central parties with (now some decades of) disillusionment over tempering capitalism (i.e., the benefits of globalization), and tend towards protectionist parties; so far that's mostly offered from the right.
Polarization versus Democracy - Milan W. Svolik
(read 2019/08/20)
This is a good research article. Presents some research done in Venezuela, Turkey, and the United States. The topic is how citizens are willing to trade democratic principles for partisan interests. One of the key findings is that centrist or independent or weakly affiliated partisans are the most likely to reject their traditional party if the candidate violates democratic principles. More political/educated citizens are more forgiving of a partisan candidate that violates democratic principles. And related, citizens are willing to overlook some autocratic tendencies if it benefits them personally.
Free Speech in a Time of War - Lucan Ahmad Way
(read 2019/08/21)
A look at Ukraine in war, since Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014. Censorship laws in Ukraine, and examples of them being applied; how criteria is sometimes opaque. Some history, mention of similar laws in the history of the United States (though these were short lived).
Five Reflections - Peter M. Lewis
(read 2019/08/26)
Brief overview on democracy in sub Sahara Africa. The general trend seems to be toward democracy. There have been some recent illiberal trends, but overall the region is more democractic than 30 years ago, and it seems likely to continue improving.
Democratic Delivery Falls Short - E. Gyimah-Boadi
(read 2019/08/26)
Very quick article, saying the same things as the previous one, but this article is based on survey data.
Egyptian Youth's Digital Dissent - Adel Iskandar
(read 2019/08/26)
This article is worth reading. Discusses political activism online and the importance of memes. Egypt's many failed attempts to engage youths and failure to get youth voter turnout. Lots of specific examples.