On undermining the foundation of democracy

Just like democracy itself, entrepreneurial freedom and an efficient economy can foster social justice

After decades of triumph, democracy is losing ground. What is behind the reversal?

How Europe is preparing for the possible presidency of Donald Trump

What role Gazeta Wyborcza played in Poland's transition from communism to democracy

Entering 2016 with a new political landscape

By liquidity of evil, I assume that we live in a deterministic, pessimistic, fatalistic, fear-and-panic-ridden society, which still tends to cherish its time-honoured, albeit out of date and misleading, liberal-democratic credentials

Not everyone raised under western democracy considers freedom a universal value. Especially when it comes to the freedom of those whom they are not accustomed to noticing, hearing, or understanding

Politicians – as well as media and citizens - have to invent the ways of a more understandable and dignified political sphere that fits in the current democratic spirit

Ilham Aliyev’s victory in the October 9 show election signals that the regime in Baku pushes Azerbaijan further into the authoritarian abyss with silent consent from the West

The failures of democracy need precise and critical, not diplomatic comments

It was more than once that I felt astonished by and ashamed of some of my colleagues’ choices for the Sakharov Prize, the supreme award of the European Parliament for human rights defenders and activists

"Not all countries will become successful democracies. But I still think of liberal democracy as the only serious alternative"

Ukraine should take advantage of the historic opportunity to pursue its hopes for European integration, Geoffrey R. Pyatt, Ambassador-designate to Ukraine Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in his statement.

Democracy and the rule of law in post-Soviet Ukraine

This short insight into the history of direct democracy might serve all those Ukrainian democrats who want to prevent the plebiscitairian and bonapartistic scenarios

Polish civil and political activist Adam Michnik told The Ukrainian Week about the outlook for democracy in Ukraine.

Democracy is under attack. Almost every regime claims to be democratic, even the most tyrannical, with the inevitable consequence that the manifest failings of such regimes tarnish the name they have appropriated for themselves. Who would enthuse about the GDR (German Democratic Republic)?

David Kramer, president of Freedom House, told The Ukrainian Week about sanctions as a necessary step similar to measures against Russia

Democracy is not something you simply declare and then everything is fine

If we choose to believe that well-being is more important than freedom, we pave the way for serfdom.

David Kramer and Robert Nurick talk about the latest Freedom House report on nations in transit, including Ukraine, how much the memory of a democratic experience matters and how painful democratic transformations may be

Freedom House’s new report raises the alarm about Ukrainian society and government as Ukraine’s post-Orange Revolution progress continues to plummet

Professor of Political Science at Columbia University Andrew J. Nathan told The Ukrainian Week about the recent geopolitical trends of Asian and Pacific Region and namely about the democratization in Myanmar

In his concluding speech at the 5th Kyiv Security Forum, James Sherr, Senior Fellow at the Chatham House Russia and Eurasia Programme, talks about the essence of democracy in the EU, its prospects in the Arab world, Ukraine’s choice and good governance as the essential tool of democracy

Democratic changes in Ukraine will be carried out by civil society, not by political elites who have proved their inability and ineptness

A government must always be under control to be democratic

Independent judiciary that stands between the powerful state and the individual citizen is essential to democracy

Mr. Putin is motivated by historical nostalgia which is out of touch with reality

Genevieve Garrigos, President of Amnesty International France, talks about how to defend human rights

Freedom House President David Kramer: “It looks like Ukrainian leaders are using the judiciary to prosecute their opponents” *

Damon Wilson, Executive Vice President of the Atlantic Council: “The best thing Ukraine can do to improve its image is to not prosecute the opposition.”

Steven Pifer: “You have some people in Europe and the US asking if it is time to apply possible restrictions on certain Ukrainian officials”.

Twenty years after gaining independence, Ukrainians are once again enduring overbearing leaders. Breaking this circle of evil should be the main goal of all future politicians.

The incumbent regime resents dissenters just as the Soviets did. But since it cannot use its predecessor’s method, it resorts to clowning around

Ivashchenko’s family about severe systematic human rights violations in Ukraine

Prominent French academic Daniel Beauvois talks about quasi-patriotism, national heroes, distorted myths and the status of historical science in Ukraine

Despite its loud declarations and new anti-corruption legislation, the government is in fact putting off the actual fight against corruption indefinitely

Estonian Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications Juhan Parts: “Building a new democratic state in Estonia and implementing e-government went hand in hand”

International organisations seem disappointed with the scale of democracy and freedoms in Ukraine since the 2010 election

Political betrayals, ideological chameleons and crossovers: an opinion on the opposition

Speaking at a session of the Council of Europe, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych promised to do many things: launch public television, pass the new election law only with the approval of the Venice Commission, reform the judicial and investigation systems and even achieve real rule of law.

The twisted vision of Ukrane can turn out fatal to European security

It’s time for Ukrainians to demand open-list voting to enable local party members to influence the way these lists are filled and to get involved in the political decision-making process

In 2011, Ukraine will in many ways look like the USSR at the time of stagnation