It has been argued over the years the democratic deficit within the European Union institutions and system, due to its lack of public engagement in the decision-making processes and the absence of a representative institution with legislative initiative power. 

However, the article "Europe’s Other Democratic Deficit: National Authoritarianism in Europe’s Democratic Union" sheds light on an alternative democratic deficit: the one of democratic backsliding and rise of nationalism and authoritarianism within the member countries, such as especially in Hungary, Poland and, most recently, Italy (however not in the same amount as Hungary).

This articles suggests how scholars should rather focus on the reasons why and the mechanisms the let such national democratic deficit to exist within the States in a quasi-federal Union that asserts a commitment to democracy. 

The question to be answered should be: How could it be that EU sets democracy as an explicit condition for membership but then tolerates the slide to autocracy of one or more of its member states?

The Ankara Agreement in 1963 was the first agreement to establish an association between the Republic of Turkey and the European Economic Community, eventually aiming at the Turkey's admission in the European Community.  

Only after decades, the negotiations started in 2005, however to remain frozen to this day due to Turkish laws, respect of human rights and rule of law being incompatible with the European Union Law standards and Copenaghen Criterias.

On the other hand, although still not part of the EU, it is hard to overlook the strategical position Turkey sits on in the current complex geopolitical background, characterized by Russia's growing aggressiveness and Turkey's itself policy stance in strategic areas such as Syria and the Eastern Mediterranean. 

Continuous meetings between the Turkish President Erdogan and the EU Commission leader confirm an ongoing dialogue between the two actors on key issues ranging from economic and political cooperation, security, energy green transition to irregular migration.

Though, the arising question is, in a world of geopolitical uncertainty, reshaping international borders, shared global issues, to what extent is EU willing to make the defense of democratic principles and the rule of law subordinate to geopolitical and strategic considerations?

Political speaker Charlie Kirk's death should have been a moment of mourning, although he has always been an extremist populist far-right thinker; instead it turned into a violent outcry against radicals on the left, who were considered the responsible of his homicide.

President Trump’s complete condemnation of Charlie Kirk’s death has arguably created the largest wave in the USA- his voters have taken example of his words and actions in believing that the “Radicals on the left are the problem”, causing violent calls for revenge amongst the majority.

His death represented another excuse to delve deeper into the already tense relationship between the two political oppositions. On the other hand, the anger of the Democrats has resurfaced stronger than ever before, posts on social media showing the celebratory attitude regarding the murder of Kirk and the statement constantly reading “He deserved it”.

This informs human beings that politics has become an argument of not just the way we vote or who we believe has more reliable ideas to uphold democracy, but also the case of human beings and the treatment that they deserve.

"Equality" is a book that consists of reporting the dialogue between Piketty and Sandel upon equality and inequality.

Inequality has always been a major problem in all states and among all societies. It mainly challenges modern democracy, blurring democracy's legitimacy and splitting societies upon different issues such as economical ones.

This book provides a dive into the extreme divides in wealth, income, power, status nationally and globally that create inequality. Both authors agree on more inclusive investment in health and education, higher progressive taxation and curbing the political power of the rich. 

Their point of view is an interesting starting point to glimpse new possibilities for change and justice, slowly but steadily.

One of the main fundamental characteristics of Democracy is the freedom to seek and access information from diverse and independent sources. This freedom is essential because democracy depends on citizens who are both willing and able to update their preferences in response to relevant information. 

In current times, social medias have become a relevant source of information for many, if not all, users. However, once celebrated as free and open spaces, social medias have now turned into platforms of amplifying disinformation.

This is unfortunately possible because of cyber troops online, that are government or political party actors tasked with manipulating public opinion online.  One kind of account used by cyber troop is the human-run fake one.

This article, published by the BBC in October 2024, explores how these profiles on the social media X can earn a considerable amount of money through their work of actively spreading misinformation and how often they have been contacted by US politicians, including congressional candidates, who are looking for supportive posts.