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.

Listening to the Voices of Our Farmers: Preview

By Lynn S. Kahn, Ph.D.

Dairy farming is the perfect microcosm for all the ways big money and bad policy is destroying local control of our food supply, devastating rural economies and filling us up with chemically enhanced products.

Instant Pairwise Elimination Voting Brings Fairness And Better Candidates

By Richard Fobes

We, the voters, are frustrated! Until this reform occurs, the people who give the biggest campaign contributions can rather easily pass the corrupt laws they want. And they can continue to block the solutions that most voters want.

Buggered in the Balkans: Russia’s Latest Antics

By David Anderson, J.D.

Ethnic tribalism and the poison of religion with its magical fairy tales are the weak links where malevolent actors like Russia can manipulate and damage democracy – even in a modern European context like Serbia.

Elizabeth and Bernie: The Ticket I Would Vote For

By Jack Jones

I love Bernie Sanders. I also have a soft spot for Elizabeth Warren. I want them both and I want them both now. They would be better than the dynamic duo, power couple or gruesome twosome. They would be Elizabeth and Bernie!

Thoughts on Government

By Fred Gohlke

There are three flaws in our government: the way we maintain our laws, the way we tax, and the way we select our representatives. Until we improve, we cannot sunset bad laws or improve the way we tax.

The Disability Party Proposes a Constitutional Amendment

By Andrew Straw

Disability Party believes the Constitution needs to be amended to reform some major problems with the federal courts and federal judges. These problems are being used to block disability rights.

Amazon Pays Nothing in Taxes, But the Poor Sure Do

By Jack Jones

The middle class and the poor need the tax breaks, not the Oligarchs at the top. There are property taxes, income taxes, alcohol taxes, license plate taxes, utility taxes, tobacco taxes, gasoline taxes and more.

Cameroonian Activist Wins Prize for Promoting Women’s Rights

Cameroon is celebrating women’s rights activist Aissa Doumara Ngatansou after she won France’s inaugural Simone Veil Prize for promoting women’s rights.

How a Nigerian Movie Helped Reduce Corruption

The amazing impact of the recent Nollywood blockbuster “Water of Gold” is a fascinating example of the power of political art.

Sunshine Week Puts Spotlight on Accessing Government Information

Sunday marks the start of Sunshine Week, an effort to highlight the role of freedom of information at all levels of the U.S. government.

How Local Praise Singers in Nigeria Serve as Tool for Politicians

Praise singers have a history of working for politicians in northern Nigeria. Alot has beeen done this past week ahead of Nigeria’s gubernatorial elections.

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