Democracy

Classifying countries by governance type involves leaning into technical systems like the Regimes of the World classification. In this data dive, see a map of the world's oldest and youngest electoral democracies, as well as liberal democracies (which are measured by the protection of minorities and checks on executive power from the legislature).

This interactive tool lets users explore the outcomes of every US presidential election from George Washington’s uncontested 1789 victory through 2024, showing how electoral votes, state results, and shifting coalitions shaped each race.

Forced on King John by rebellious barons, the Magna Carta established limits on royal power and the principle that rulers are subject to law. Discover how this foundational text later influenced the development of constitutional government and modern human rights traditions.

The French Revolution of 1789 is remembered for its enduring ideals: liberty, equality, and justice. It also grappled with populism, media manipulation, and the rise of totalitarianism, culminating in the violence of the Reign of Terror. This article argues that the Revolution’s legacy is complex: it remains an inspiration for those seeking justice and equality, but also serves as a warning about the risks of extremism and the fragility of democracy.

Ancient Athens chose the vast majority of its public servants by lottery, a process of random selection known as sortition. Roughly 30,000 people were eligible for the lottery to serve as jurors, magistrates, and more. Monthly assemblies called the "ekklesia" occurred where anyone could attend and speak, but 500 governing council members called the "Boule" set the agenda.

Why is the US a democracy, and where did the idea of democracy come from? This article explores how ancient Greece's government inspired the US. Ancient Greece was a collection of city-states essentially run independently, similar to how 50 semi-independent states comprise the US, allowing each region to be governed locally. The US Constitution also was inspired, at least in part, by "The Constitution of the Athenians" and other city-states, which provided written details on laws of the land and justice system processes.

This visual timeline explores the history of Hong Kong, a Chinese community that was under British rule for 156 years until it was returned in 1997. Hong Kong was ceded to the British via the Treaty of Nanjing, an agreement that ended the First Opium War. This timeline details 25 crucial events that have happened to and in Hong Kong, a Democratic territory that stands apart from mainland China's Communist government.

This 15-minute video explores how Hong Kong has changed since China reclaimed the territory from Britain in 1997. Hong Kong became a British colony after the First Opium War, a conflict arising from Britain's attempt to equalize trade with China through smuggled opium. Democratic rights assumed by Hong Kong residents, such as the right to protest, have been in peril since the 1997 shift, according to this video.

Each US primary election season starts in Iowa. The Iowa caucus is the first step both political parties take to nominate their general election candidates. Republicans use a private ballot; these results determine how many delegates are distributed to each candidate for the next convention. Democrats have to publicly announce their vote at precinct meetings statewide. They congregate in groups marked for their candidate of choice. Watch this two-minute video to learn the process behind one of the pivotal events of the general election.

One of the most significant performances of a politician's life is the televised debate, which requires the kind of preparation only an actor would be familiar with. This article dives into some of the recent history around debate prep norms, including how every campaign chooses someone to act like the opponent in mock debates—often to comical effect.