Global Scans · Democracy · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Society is expressing its discontent with current democratic processes that leave the elites struggling to convince their voters of their good intentions and competencies. Read on to see how democracy is offering both great opportunities and risks while this period of volatility shakes out.

• [New] The Iranian people must have democratic rights and should have the opportunity to decide their own future. The NEN - North Edinburgh News
• [New] Legal experts and national security analysts are increasingly warning that AI-generated deepfakes could become one of the most destabilizing forces in modern politics, raising urgent questions about election integrity, free speech protections, and the limits of U.S. law. USA Herald - The People's Voice
• [New] The majority of America feels that democracy is under threat and see political violence as a major problem. The Guardian
• [New] Two Elections, Two Risk Profiles: Political Volatility and Travel Disruption in Thailand and Nepal Political uncertainty linked to elections in Nepal and the recently concluded vote in Thailand has influenced the travel risk environment across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. On Call International Blog
• [New] Lithuania's decision has sparked debate at home - as expected in a democratic society. European Pravda
• [New] Special attention will be given to the challenges for democracy in Central and Eastern Europe and the performance of hybrid or authoritarian regimes, particularly in light of the complex political context surrounding this year's host institution and ongoing student-led protests in Serbia. INSTITUTE FOR PHILOSOPHY AND SOCIAL THEORY
• [New] If Ukraine is not robustly supported in its reconstruction and development, the risks of democratic backsliding and regional instability, including economic and migration crises, extend far beyond its borders. CEPA
• [New] The weakening of democratic norms in the United States amplifies that risk. The National Interest
• [New] Galuzin claimed that Ukraine will try to prevent Ukrainian citizens living in Russia from voting in a future Ukrainian election. Critical Threats
• [New] Political attention will begin shifting toward the 2026 election cycle, as tomorrow officially marks the start of primary season in Texas, North Carolina, and Arkansas. JD Supra
• [New] In the coming months, the U.S. Supreme Court will rule on a case that could weaken or overturn key parts of the Voting Rights Act - a Civil Rights-era law that protects the power of racial minorities to elect candidates of their choice. The Marshall Project
• [New] Analysts warn the prolonged trial risks investor confidence, democratic norms, and could set precedents for silencing political opposition in Turkey. Ainvest
• Illicit finance poses a global threat; undermining economies, weakening democratic institutions, and destabilising the rules-based international order. Department of Home Affairs Website
• While India aimed to be a secular liberal democracy for all of its citizens, Pakistan's leaders believed that its citizens could only be secure in a Muslim-majority state. Vox
• The coming years will determine whether the 2026 election marks a period of stabilization - or the beginning of another cycle of constitutional contestation and protest rallies. / Thailand The Diplomat
• Amendments that appear to touch Thailand's 'democracy with the monarchy as head of state' formula, as the debate over lese majeste reform showed, could trigger litigation from Thailand's self-appointed defenders of tutelary democracy. East Asia Forum
• Asset managers exert influence through direct and indirect engagement, including through the implementation of proxy voting policies and policy-based voting; as a result, Canadian institutional investors have generally reviewed their voting and engagement policies to increase the focus on ESG risks. JD Supra
• Kansas lawmakers could transform elections with a series of bills that squeeze advanced voting timelines, stamp out rare instances of noncitizen voting, and tinker with some candidate filing and advocacy rules. State and Federal Communications
• Authoritarian unification would destroy Taiwan's democratic system; formal independence would institutionalize confrontation and risk escalation between major powers. Global Policy Journal
• By linking cross-Strait peace to democratic conditionality rather than deterrence alone, Europe could exercise distinctive normative leverage in shaping long-term stability in East Asia. Global Policy Journal
• A transition beginning in 2027 from uniform policy models to AI enabled, customizable voting frameworks that better reflect client specific strategies. BDO

Last updated: 22 March 2026