Democracy
Local democracy is holding strong, but rural communities are falling behind, new survey of Michigan officials shows
Local democracy is holding strong, but rural communities are falling behind, new survey of Michigan officials shows Michigan local officials report strong democracy, but rural communities are falling behind, with only 79% of rural communities reporting relatively good democratic health compared to 92% of urban communities. Rural communities in Michigan are experiencing declining public engagement, […]
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Autocracies in transition: In 2025, Cameroon and Tanzania rulers clung to power โ but look more vulnerable than ever
Autocracies in transition: In 2025, Cameroon and Tanzania rulers clung to power โ but look more vulnerable than ever Autocratic leaders in Africa are clinging to power, with Cameroon’s President Paul Biya securing an unprecedented eighth term and Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan winning a highly dubious 98% of the presidential vote. The elections were […]
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America faced domestic fascists before and buried that history
America faced domestic fascists before and buried that history The United States has faced domestic fascists before, but this history has been largely forgotten. Fascist groups like the German American Bund, Silver Shirts, Christian Front, Black Legion, and Ku Klux Klan claimed hundreds of thousands of members in the 1930s and early ’40s, promoting a […]
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Pentagon investigation of Sen. Mark Kelly revives Cold War persecution of Americans with supposedly disloyal views
Pentagon investigation of Sen. Mark Kelly revives Cold War persecution of Americans with supposedly disloyal views Pentagon investigation into Sen. Mark Kelly’s statements has revived Cold War-era persecution of Americans with supposedly disloyal views, sparking concerns about a resurgence of McCarthyism. The investigation, led by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, aims to address Kelly’s comments that […]
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Americans are really concerned about democracy
Americans are really concerned about democracy A new study finds that Americans are deeply concerned about the state of US democracy, with 84% saying it’s either in crisis or facing serious challenges. The Republican Party is particularly divided, with three distinct groups: Trump-first Republicans who support broad presidential authority, Constitution-first Republicans who prioritize checks and […]
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White nationalism fuels tolerance for political violence nationwide
White nationalism fuels tolerance for political violence nationwide White nationalism has become a significant driver of support for political violence in the United States, posing a substantial danger to the country’s political stability. The study found that nearly half of respondents believed violence would be justified if the government violated citizens’ rights or committed unlawful […]
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John Fetterman is an unusual politician โ but his rise from borough mayor to US senator reflects a recent trend
John Fetterman is an unusual politician โ but his rise from borough mayor to US senator reflects a recent trend John Fetterman’s rise from borough mayor to US senator reflects a recent trend in American politics where mayors of small and midsized cities are developing national political profiles. The phenomenon has roots in suburbanization and […]
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Why rural Maine may back Democrat Graham Platnerโs populism in the Senate campaign โ but not his party
Why rural Maine may back Democrat Graham Platnerโs populism in the Senate campaign โ but not his party Graham Platner, a Democrat from Maine, is seen as a potential candidate to bridge the divide between rural America and the Democratic Party. Platner’s message of economic populism resonates with rural residents’ frustrations about corporate consolidation, rising […]
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Soaring electricity rates fueled Democratic victories โ now comes the hard part
Soaring electricity rates fueled Democratic victories โ now comes the hard part Rising electricity rates were a key factor in Democratic victories in New Jersey, Virginia, and Georgia, highlighting concerns over energy policy and infrastructure. The US power grid is struggling to keep up with growing demand from AI data centers, electric vehicles, and domestic […]
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Congress has been dodging responsibility for tariffs for decades โ now the Supreme Court will decide how far presidents can go alone
Congress has been dodging responsibility for tariffs for decades โ now the Supreme Court will decide how far presidents can go alone The US Supreme Court will hear a case on whether presidents can impose sweeping import duties using a Cold War-era emergency law, raising questions about accountability and democratic ownership. The shift in power […]
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