1) In a year when three billion people are expected to vote, one in three will do so in countries where the quality of elections has declined over the past five years. This is just one of the striking findings highlighted in International IDEA's report on The Global State of Democracy 2024. Electoral disputes are common, with losing candidates contesting the results in nearly 20% of elections between 2020 and 2024. Voter turnout has also declined significantly on a global level, from 65.2% to 55.5% over the past 15 years. Most countries show a corresponding decline in democratic performance, with four out of nine deteriorating, and only one in four seeing improvement. The sharpest declines are observed in representation and rights, particularly in areas such as freedom of expression and economic equality—even in high-performing democracies. Despite these challenges, elections remain crucial for accountability, with incumbent parties set to lose major elections throughout 2023 and 2024. Reports and findings are available on the IDEA website (Thematic Networks on the IPSAPortal).
2) The composition of the Trump administration and White House policy decisions are at the center of global attention. Amid a flurry of in-depth reporting, some media outlets provide more systematic and comprehensive insights. The New York Times features a tracker of cabinet and staff appointments, offering an in-depth analysis of each appointee’s political background and the potential impact of their role in the administration. Similarly, Politico has a dedicated section where all the nominees are ranked and presented with a summary sheet complete with attractive graphics. Each profile features a concise biography and an “About” section explaining the rationale behind their appointment and how it aligns with Trump’s policy agenda (Media Sources on the IPSAPortal).
3) The UN International Organization for Migration (IOM) released the biennial World Migration Report 2024, offering a comprehensive analysis of global migration trends. There are 281 million international migrants worldwide, the report reveals, accounting for 3.6% of the global population. The report also underscores a key paradox: while migration drives economic development, it is increasingly politicized and subject to widespread misinformation. Conflict, violence and climate-related disasters are major drivers of displacement. At the same time, opportunities for regular migration have diminished for individuals from developing countries, pushing many to rely on irregular channels. Despite these challenges, migrants play a pivotal role in global development, with their remittances often exceeding official development assistance and foreign direct investment in many countries (Research Institutes on the IPSAPortal).
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