Putin’s invasion of Ukraine ranks as one of the greatest military failures of modern times. What he thought would be an easy victory now saps Moscow’s strength. Military expert Zoltan Barany offers the definitive account of why Putin’s military failed, arguing that the corruption of the regime has crippled the country’s military power.
Plus: Why China poses a threat to democracy everywhere; Lula won, but Bolsonaro’s allies may have him surrounded; will Europeans still stand up for democracy?
Enjoy complimentary access to the January issue of the Journal of Democracy through February 14:
- The Chinese Communist Party is deadly serious about its authoritarian designs, write Michael Beckley and Hal Brands, and it is bent on promoting them. It’s time for the world’s democracies to get serious, too.
- Brazil’s charismatic former president is back and already under attack. Wendy Hunter and Timothy J. Power argue that Lula may now be in the toughest political fight of his life.
- Given a choice between democracy and illiberal beliefs, European voters will not always put democracy first. Milan W. Svolik and his coauthors find that in Europe, democracy erodes from the right.
Also in this issue:
- What makes the government of new far-right Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni so frightening is its competence. Her party also enjoys greater democratic legitimacy than any we have seen in a long time, writes Erik Jones.
- Sweden is supposed to be one of the best countries in which to live. So, Bo Rothstein asks, why are the far-right Sweden Democrats on the rise?
- Much of Europe’s political right has embraced gay rights, explain Gabriele Magni and Andrew Reynolds. For some, welcoming gay leaders and voters is a sign of modernity and openness—and a tool for stirring opposition to Muslim immigrants.
- Indonesia is a leading example for fledgling democracies navigating tough transitions. If its democracy gives way, argues Dan Slater, the loss for the democratic world will be enormous.
- Nonviolent movements have begun to stall. But there is one tool that can raise their chance for success, argue Sophia McClennen, Srdja Popovic, and Joseph Wright.
- After two votes and a yearlong drafting process, Chileans rejected the progressive charter they had claimed to want. Jennifer M. Piscopo and Peter M. Siavelis unpack the failure and prospects for the next go-around.
- This is the toughest time for Latin America’s democracies in decades, write Scott Mainwaring and Aníbal Pérez-Liñán. Democratic stagnation makes them ripe targets for illiberal populists and would-be authoritarians.
- Books in Review: Charles G. Davidson on Invisible Trillions by Raymond Baker, and Zachary Karabell on When McKinsey Comes to Town by Walt Bogdanich and Michael Forsythe.
- View the full Table of Contents.
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Best Regards,
The Editors
Journal of Democracy
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