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] 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
• [New] Authoritarian unification would destroy Taiwan's democratic system; formal independence would institutionalize confrontation and risk escalation between major powers. Global Policy Journal
• [New] 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
• [New] A transition beginning in 2027 from uniform policy models to AI enabled, customizable voting frameworks that better reflect client specific strategies. BDO
• [New] Iranian military leaders could prove more pragmatic around some the currently divisive cultural policies (e.g., the imposition of mandatory hijabs), but they are unlikely to embrace the West or implement any meaningful economic or democratic reforms. Council on Foreign Relations
• [New] Familiar risks will re-emerge in the second half of 2026 as a new round of budget negotiations get underway and the 2027 presidential election cycle brings fresh political uncertainty. / Germany Natixis - Natixis CIB
• [New] As generative systems flood the world with content, democratic societies face risks from deepfakes and disinformation. The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com
• [New] Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan is laying the groundwork for a dynastic succession - and disposing of democratic institutions that might obstruct it. The National Interest
• [New] Implementation, transparency in releases and broader reforms will determine its lasting impact on Venezuela's pursuit of peace and democratic coexistence. CNN
• [New] Europe's liberal democratic order is under threat and admitted fears over how leaders would react if Russia stormed Nato territory. The US Sun
• [New] The European Commission has launched a €785,000 pilot call for proposals to strengthen social cohesion and improve understanding of online political polarization, recognizing the growing threat that digitally amplified division poses to democratic resilience in the European Union. CRC
• [New] Washington's framing of Taiwan is moving from democratic partner to strategic liability, driven by fears that Taiwan's chip concentration is a single point of failure for the global economy. The Asia Cable
• [New] As the world's largest democracy, India has the opportunity to deploy AI widely while also shaping how it is governed. VND
• [New] Despite the devastation and disruptions caused by Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukraine's democratic regime has endured. CEPA
• [New] The United States faces a critical moment as Trump's push to federalize elections threatens both constitutional norms and election security. WJXT News4JAX
• [New] China's intensifying authoritarian expansionism not only directly threatens Taiwan's security and democratic system but also poses significant challenges to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world. The Bullet
• [New] Ukraine's democratic trajectory stands at a critical crossroads that will define not only its own future but the broader architecture of European security and democratic governance in the 21st century. CEPA
• [New] The resilience of Ukraine's democratic institutions during the full-scale invasion demonstrates their potential, but consolidation requires sustained support to transform wartime adaptations into permanent democratic structures. CEPA
• [New] Ukraine stands at several critical decision points that will determine whether wartime democratic resilience transforms into sustainable long-term democratic consolidation. CEPA
• [New] Otherwise, Ukraine risks entrenching temporary wartime practices that may be difficult to undo, potentially inflicting long-term damage on democratic governance structures. CEPA
• [New] Failure to support Ukraine's democratic consolidation now will have profound long-term consequences extending far beyond Ukraine's borders. CEPA
• [New] Without adequate support for democratic institution-building, Ukraine risks sliding into a fragile hybrid political regime beset by weak rule of law, captured institutions, and limited political competition. CEPA
• [New] Without strong democratic institutions to protect pluralism, Ukraine could experience increased polarization and exclusion of marginalized groups from political participation. CEPA

Last updated: 01 March 2026