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] 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
• [New] Ukraine stands at yet another inflection point, where the level and continuity of international support will fundamentally shape its trajectory toward a secure and democratic future. CEPA
• [New] As a VLOP, WhatsApp must now take concrete steps to identify and reduce systemic risks, such as content that could harm children's wellbeing or undermine democratic processes. EU DisinfoLab
• [New] Like World War Two, the war in Ukraine is about whether freedom and democracy will survive in Europe, or whether a brutal, authoritarian imperialism will be allowed to overpower and crush its weaker neighbours. Times Argus
• [New] Former German and U.S. officials outline a vision for change in Iran, endorsing a democratic platform while warning against misinformation, dynastic succession, and Western complacency. NCRI
• [New] Republicans are expected to pick up seats in Texas, North Carolina, and Ohio by packing Democratic voters, often voters of colour, in urban districts while spreading out suburban or rural Republican votes to add additional Republican-leaning seats. Carolina Political Review
• [New] For the most part, pro-democracy mass movements emerge only when democracy is in question - whether through internal threats or, in the case of Taiwan, external ones like China. Silver Bulletin
• [New] Nearly half of respondents believe that over the coming decade the current democratic recession will deepen into a democratic depression. Atlantic Council
• [New] Respondents who envision continued democratic decline have less faith that over the coming decade major-power war will be avoided, global cooperation will expand, and minority rights around the world will be protected. Atlantic Council
• [New] Countries that are not following democratic norms could use the U.S. example to further limit the rights of their citizens. Harvard Gazette
• [New] Logistical and organizational constraints mean that millions of Ukrainians abroad could be deprived of their constitutional right to vote, as could IDPs if voter registries are not updated in time. CEPA
• [New] ECRA provides a third pathway for Republicans and Putin to prevail in both 2026 and 2028 by granting final authority to resolve legal election disputes to the Supreme Court. The Fulcrum
• [New] The existing capacity of polling stations established at Ukrainian diplomatic institutions abroad will clearly not be enough to ensure a proper voting process. CEPA
• While some countries in the Middle East - Lebanon, Palestine, Iran - develop a new strain of Muslim democracy, many will not manage to change their politics quickly enough to keep up with social demands. Centre for European Reform
• An expanded Eurosphere that includes Bulgaria, Romania, Norway, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, the Balkans, Moldova, Belarus and Georgia will share a belief in democracy with the United States - but be alienated from it because of a habit of multilateralism. Centre for European Reform
• Ancient civilizations like China and India will become more self-confident and will project their own ideas on to concepts such as democracy, freedom and the rule of law. Centre for European Reform
• Trump has threatened to issue further orders to disrupt mail voting, ban voting machines, and install new voter ID requirements. State Court Report

Last updated: 22 February 2026