A fake “Narva People’s Republic” campaign flopped in Estonia, but the Russian playbook behind it is still in use, and integration rather than tougher rules is the country’s best defense.
About The Loop
AI Adoption Should Not Outpace Our Ability to Control It
Competition is pushing AI into use faster than it can be controlled, and safeguards must keep humans in charge before the costs arrive.
Competition is pushing AI into use faster than it can be controlled, and safeguards must keep humans in charge before the costs arrive.
Europe’s Divided Approach to Refugees and Skilled Migrants
European migration policies separate refugees from skilled workers, overlooking how asylum seekers can become essential contributors to national workforces over time.
European migration policies separate refugees from skilled workers, overlooking how asylum seekers can become essential contributors to national workforces over time.
Poland Got More Divided Without Getting More Extreme
Poland’s political divide deepened as voters’ views across issues increasingly aligned with party loyalties, preceding democratic backsliding without widespread ideological radicalization.
Poland’s political divide deepened as voters’ views across issues increasingly aligned with party loyalties, preceding democratic backsliding without widespread ideological radicalization.
Türkiye’s Anti-LGBTQ+ Raids Are an Attack on What’s Left of Democracy
Recent raids on LGBTQ+ associations and activists in Türkiye are part of a broader political project that threatens democracy.
Recent raids on LGBTQ+ associations and activists in Türkiye are part of a broader political project that threatens democracy.
🔮 The Inevitable Social Conservatism of the Radical Right
Europe’s radical-right parties may increasingly embrace traditional social values, even when voters prioritize immigration over conservative positions on cultural issues.
Europe’s radical-right parties may increasingly embrace traditional social values, even when voters prioritize immigration over conservative positions on cultural issues.
Democracy Alone Does Not Protect People When Disasters Strike
Research across Southeast Asia reveals that democracy alone cannot prevent disaster losses without effective government administration, coordination, and emergency preparedness.
Research across Southeast Asia reveals that democracy alone cannot prevent disaster losses without effective government administration, coordination, and emergency preparedness.
When Central Banks Use AI, Who Is Accountable?
As central banks adopt artificial intelligence, questions emerge about transparency, human oversight and accountability for decisions affecting financial systems.
As central banks adopt artificial intelligence, questions emerge about transparency, human oversight and accountability for decisions affecting financial systems.
Supporting Democracy While Tolerating Autocracy: Who Is Most at Risk?
Research explores why some people support democratic ideals while accepting authoritarian practices, revealing tensions between political beliefs and democratic values.
Research explores why some people support democratic ideals while accepting authoritarian practices, revealing tensions between political beliefs and democratic values.
Frustrated Europeanism: Dissatisfaction Does Not Mean Euroscepticism
Dissatisfaction with the European Union does not always signal opposition, as some citizens criticize its shortcomings while supporting European integration.
Dissatisfaction with the European Union does not always signal opposition, as some citizens criticize its shortcomings while supporting European integration.
In Sweden, the Radical Right Lost, but the Country Has Not Turned Left
Sweden’s political landscape reveals how setbacks for the radical right do not necessarily translate into a broader shift toward left-wing policies.
Sweden’s political landscape reveals how setbacks for the radical right do not necessarily translate into a broader shift toward left-wing policies.
🌊 Far-Right Setbacks Do Not Reverse Illiberal Change
An analysis argues that electoral defeats for far-right parties do not necessarily undo restrictive policies or political shifts already adopted by mainstream parties across Europe.
An analysis argues that electoral defeats for far-right parties do not necessarily undo restrictive policies or political shifts already adopted by mainstream parties across Europe.
🌈 Gender, Public Knowledge, and Democratic Backsliding
An analysis explores how governments’ decisions about gender-related data can affect public accountability, recognition of marginalized communities and democratic institutions.
An analysis explores how governments’ decisions about gender-related data can affect public accountability, recognition of marginalized communities and democratic institutions.
Digital Protest Can Spread Quickly, Yet Still Be Easy to Stop
Digital protests can mobilize people rapidly, but internet shutdowns can disrupt the connections that turn scattered dissent into collective action.
Digital protests can mobilize people rapidly, but internet shutdowns can disrupt the connections that turn scattered dissent into collective action.
When the Exception Becomes the Rule in World Politics
An analysis explores how governments increasingly use legally embedded exceptions to respond to security, migration, trade, and geopolitical pressures.
An analysis explores how governments increasingly use legally embedded exceptions to respond to security, migration, trade, and geopolitical pressures.
Disability, Work and the Limits of Benefit Reform in Britain
Britain’s disability-benefit debate highlights the challenge of balancing income protection with employment support for people with partial or fluctuating work capacity.
Britain’s disability-benefit debate highlights the challenge of balancing income protection with employment support for people with partial or fluctuating work capacity.