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.

Email Interview with the Founder of Democracy Counts

By Steve Schneider

Democracy Counts is a nonpartisan hi-tech startup that has developed election watchdog apps which it will share with volunteer election auditors in 2020.

Democratize Diplomacy!

By Paul Lachelier

For all its impact the world can seem distant from our daily issues, a paradox of irrelevance and mounting relevance that calls for democratizing diplomacy.

Social action is the best approach to a stormy 2020, here’s how to be effective

By Julio César Guerrero

The social climate barometer points to a stormy 2020 that can only be confronted through social action, but there are protocols to follow to be effective.

Carlos Ghosn’s Wild Japanese Disappearing Act

By David Anderson, J.D.

His claim is that he’s not fleeing justice as a fugitive but rather escaping a racist and rigged system. It’s hard to know which of those narratives is true. James Bond (or James Bond villain?)

Unlikely odds for radically different leadership and change in Cameroon post-Biya

By Kenral Simo

There is a conflation of honeymoon and change in post-Biya predictions. The caste State also says why ceteris paribus such change is unlikely in Cameroon.

The World that cried wolf! Ignoring and sanitizing American foreign policy in Bolivia

By Jack Jones

When our country overthrow’s the government of another country, we just ignore it and our press sanitizes the putsch. It’s time to engage and cry wolf!

The Highest Form of Communism is Transcendental Communism

By Roger Copple

Let us encourage neighbors to create their own social vision and worldview, thinking globally and acting locally. Let each elementary, middle, and high school district create its own educational philosophy.

Ant behavior might mirror political polarization

Division of labour and political polarization—two social phenomena not typically considered together—may actually share a common social mechanism.

How Candidate Attractiveness Plays Role In Voters’ Decisions

Researchers concluded that candidates did in fact benefit from attractive looks, as well as appearing “competent” in photographs.

World welcomes 2020 in traditional new year celebrations

People the world over are welcoming 2020 in traditional new year celebrations. New Zealand and other Pacific islands were among the first to celebrate.

David Byrne boosting voter registration at Broadway show

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame former front man for Talking Heads is promoting getting out the vote during his Broadway production.