For decades Thailand’s ruling establishment has made sure that its democracy is little more than a veneer. More recently, they’ve used judges to make sure no one can change the country in ways they might dislike https://t.co/XAUrgFTBim ...

Executive Power and Legislation - The analysis indicates a significant increase in the use of executive orders by the current administration compared to previous administrations, including its own first term, suggesting a shift in governance strategy [11] - The report highlights that the current administration has signed over 35 times as many executive orders as new laws, indicating a preference for executive action over legislative collaboration [15] - The analysis contrasts the current approach with that of past presidents like FDR, who balanced executive orders with legislative action, passing approximately 80-90 laws alongside executive orders during a pivotal period [14] - The report points out that the current administration's approach deviates from historical norms, with concerns raised about potential autocratic tendencies due to the heavy reliance on executive orders [16] Constitutional and Legal Concerns - The analysis suggests that the administration's actions, particularly the issuance of executive orders, are facing legal challenges and are often being struck down in court [17][18] - The report raises concerns about the administration's interpretation of Article Two of the Constitution, with claims that it is being used to justify an expansion of presidential power beyond established limits [4][5] - The analysis emphasizes that the administration's pursuit of policy goals through executive orders, bypassing Congress, is seen as an effort to change the government's structure and potentially undermine democratic checks and balances [9][18] Political Context and Opposition - The report notes a shift in the Republican party's dynamics, with congressional leaders now more aligned with the administration's agenda compared to the first term [1] - The analysis mentions the emergence of a "Trump resistance" and public backlash against the administration's actions, indicating opposition to the perceived expansion of executive power [6]

Thailand is known for its scenic beaches, Buddhist temples, and vibrant nightlife. However, it also serves as a cautionary tale of a society where democratic institutions crumble, leaving oligarchs to fight it out https://t.co/r8dknSviTv ...

Storytelling & Democracy - The entertainment industry often fails to support storytellers from marginalized communities, leading to underrepresentation and underfunding [9] - Technology, particularly social media, exacerbates division through algorithms that promote hate speech, extremism, and disinformation [10] - AI models risk perpetuating harmful stereotypes and appropriating voices and stories without consent or compensation [17] - Storytelling can drive social change, as demonstrated by the marriage equality movement [21] Social Impact - Social media contributes to self-hatred and animosity, exemplified by the tragic case of Molly Russell [12] - There has been a 119% increase in tweets demonizing the LGBTQIA+ community since October 2022, leading to harassment and violence [14] - Disinformation spread through algorithms fuels polarization and undermines democratic processes, as seen in the January 6th insurrection and the January 8th coup attempt in Brazil [15] Future Vision - The power of human imagination remains crucial for building a better world, even in the face of AI and algorithmic dominance [20] - Investment in narrative infrastructure is needed to amplify unheard stories and promote diversity in media content [29][30] - Technology should be reimagined as a force for good, with transparent algorithms and AI models that unlock imagination [30] - The story of democracy needs to be rewritten to center on joy, belonging, and possibility, ensuring inclusivity for all [31]

Welcome to the beat everyone. I am Ari Melbour and let me tell you right off the top we have a very special and newsworthy guest to begin the show tonight. House Democratic Minority Leader Hakee Jeff the most powerful Democrat in Washington is here. I will see you in a moment. I will tell folks that we are coming fresh off leader Jeff historic literally breaking historical records 8h hour 44 minute house floor speech. This is one way to understand if nothing else the sheer amount of time and stamina that wa ...

Accusations that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's police minister frustrated probes into political killings sully the nation's credentials as a working democracy and highlight the rot that has bled support from his party https://t.co/4CyG7FyXh7 ...

Political Analysis - Hong Kong's democracy has been diminished by Chinese authorities [1] - Leung Kwok-hung and his supporters represent a potential for democratic recovery in Hong Kong [1]

For many of you, this year's Independence Day might have felt a little different, a bit out of sorts, almost like peering through the proverbial looking glass, as if we're honoring something that once was. And in a way, we are. This year, the holiday arrived at at a precarious moment for our democracy. As Donald Trump continues to take a wrecking ball to the very institutions built to protect our democracy. Commenting on this state of affairs, a friend of the show, Dean Oadala, shared this observation yeste ...

His mission has been to fight the Chinese authorities’ assaults on Hong Kong’s autonomy and democracy since Britain handed over the territory. But the origins of his politics are in the colonial Hong Kong in which he grew up https://t.co/4EdQLyilRU ...

It has been a divisive, chaotic week in Trump's America with the opening of his cruel migr migrant detention center the administration has dubbed alligator Alcatraz. You see that sign there and the passage of the massively unpopular so-called big beautiful bill as well as his growing list of political targets he's threatening. People who were once buddies or members of Congress who dared to defy him, news organizations.It's no wonder that most Americans and more than half of Republicans even say democracy i ...