Stories

Digital Democracy and e-Governance
Digitalisation Can Divide Us or Empower Democracy — We Decide
Town halls are moving online, we are able to sign petitions from the comfort of our own homes, and collective action can suddenly start with a simple hashtag. Whether it is better connectivity, the ability to strengthen networks...
IDC Theme of the Month
Digital Democracy & e-Governance: How Digital Tools are Reshaping Citizen Participation in the 21st Century
On the International Democracy Community (IDC) platform, we're introducing monthly themes inspired by the ideas and interests you shared in our recent survey. We're kicking things off with the theme Digital Democracy and e-...
Germany
Citizen power in Germany: ready for the next step
Germany´s More Democracy group is an example of worldwide attempts to boost citizens´ participation in...
Taiwan
The World of Modern Democracy in 2016
OUTLOOK: After a horrible 2015, the new year offers new and fascinating democratic opportunities - on all...
Switzerland
Switzerland: 2015 Initiative and Referendum Review
The long list of initiatives and referendums - a key instrument of Switzerland´s system of direct democracy...
USA
Schools to promote good citizenship
An interview with the #ByThePeople-conference chair Daniel Schugurensky on what makes a participatory...
Netherlands
Netherlands first citizen-initiated popular vote
On April 6 next year the first citizen-initiated referendum vote in Dutch history will be held in the...
Switzerland
Switzerland is the gold standard for direct democracy
No country on earth is more democratic than Switzerland. So says the Uruguayan political scientist David...
European Union
Call For More Direct Democracy in Europe
The first tool of participatory democracy at the transnational level, the European Citizens’ Initiative, must...
USA
How Museums Become Catalysts For Active Citizenship
The world is in the throes of a terrible refugee crisis, and we are in the middle of a national immigration...
Taiwan
Promising Taiwan – a direct democracy in the making?
THE TAIWANESE NEED TO DECIDE IF THEIR GOVERNMENT CAN FUNCTION AS BEAUTIFULLY AS THEIR CIVIL SOCIETY – AND IF...
Tunisia
A Nobel Peace Prize for Modern Direct Democracy
Here in Tunisia, we received the news of the Nobel Peace Prize with great joy and emotion, writes Lassaad El...