Amy Swiffen articles

Amy Swiffen writes for Democracy Chronicles from her home in Canada. She is a Professor of Sociology at Concordia University in Montreal.

How Blockchain-Based Voting Could Save Democracy

By Amy Swiffen - October 18, 2018 1 Comment

Fair and tamper-free elections are perhaps the primary way a political system can be “inclusive”, and this can be enhanced using a blockchain system. Yet, it is precisely why blockchain voting might encounter resistance.

Florida Not Yet Land of Lincoln for Former Felon Voting Rights

By Steve Schneider

Governor signs a 2019 law, which was passed in a party-line vote by the Republican-controlled state Legislature. It requires returning citizens to pay all fees, fines and restitution ordered by a judge before they can register to vote.

Election Machine Keys Currently Available for Purchase on Amazon

By Thomas Manning

According to hackers at a recently held hacking conference in Las Vegas Nevada, election machine keys are currently available for purchase on websites like Amazon, eBay and other sites.

Podcast: One state’s fight for fair maps

By Jenna Spinelle

Pennsylvania is one of several states trying to ensure fair congressional maps are drawn after the 2020 Census. As we say in the episode, redistricting is one of democracy’s thorniest problems.

Fearless World Order Under Dictatorship

By Farai Chirimumimba

In the past several years, the world has been shaken by protests caused by the various countries’ ruling-elites and their selfishness. Of course, that isn’t anything new.

Why Florida Should Super Size ERIC Initiative

By Steve Schneider

Governor Ron DeSantis opened the door for more election reform at an Aug. 21 Orlando press conference. That’s when he announced Florida will join the Electronic Registration Information Center.

It Will Take More Than Socialism and Democracy to Save the World

By Roger Copple

Imagine having democratic and ecological socialism on an international level based on a system and culture of democratic world law. It would be a revolution of love, a love revolution, a spiritual revolution, and we can have it. We can create it.

Extinction Rebellion Wants a Mass Psychedelic Protest. Bad Idea.

By David Anderson, J.D.

This wildly self-indulgent psychedelic protest is the new nadir from Extinction Rebellion. The climate crisis is real – stunts like this can only damage the acceptance of psychedelic medicine as well as the climate crisis.

Pro-Democracy Protests Continue in Russia

By Thomas Manning

Pro-Democracy Russian organizers have continued their protests in Moscow for a fourth straight weekend demanding more candidates be allowed to run in the upcoming City Council election.

Does Unconstitutional Exist With No Fully Written Constitution?

By Paul Narraway

The UK’s democracy as a whole is being held in the balance and has also been tainted, mostly down to Brexit. Yet even after Brexit, even if the UK ends up remaining in the EU, our democracy is not magically fixed.

Democrats Slam Engage Texas over advocacy on Texas Diver License Grounds

Democrats have slammed GOP-affiliated Engage Texas over advocacy at Texas Diver License offices but DPS says grounds open to political speech.

Florida: felon voting restrictions to finally have day in court

Florida felon voting restrictions to finally have day in court. This comes after suing over Florida GOP-controlled legislature hook on felon voting rights

Meet the 17-Year-Old Creating “Turnout,” a Mobilization App for Teen Activists

Zev Dickstein Shapiro, a 17-year-old social entrepreneur from Cambridge, Massachusetts, is revolutionizing the social media game.

Podcast: A Democracy Summer Reading List

The hosts of the Democracy Works podcast review current books on democracy in this week’s podcast episode.