Jenny Oak Tree articles

Jenny Oak Tree writes for Democracy Chronicles from the state of Alabama. Checkout the rest of our international team of authors as well. Together, they help cover free and fair elections on every continent with a focus on election reform in the United States.

Why Former First Lady Dianne Bentley is Alabama’s Feminist Icon

By Jenny Oak Tree - April 21, 2018 Leave a Comment

Bentley is a proud conservative Christian who made a choice in the face of everything she went through to leave a cheating spouse. By all accounts, while the world is trying desperately to promote women, we have a feminist icon in our midst

The English Psycho and Brexit: A Psychological Profile

By David Anderson, J.D.

It is a psychological fact that in chaotic times people frequently allow narcissists and psychopaths to rise to the top of organizations, often faster than they do normally. Clinically, Trump and Boris Johnson tick nearly all the boxes.

A Modest Proposal to Save and Improve the Electoral College

By M D Mitchell

There is currently a debate in the US about eliminating the Electoral College and replacing it with a National Popular Vote. There are also ardent defenders of both arguments. There are valid arguments on both sides.

The Sources Of British Democracy Are Being Poisoned

By Paul Narraway

In the continuing mess that is Brexit, some very foul smells are arising from the pile of awfulness that it is. To date, there is no solid agreement on what to do and which direction to go in.

When Anger Is A Gift: Puerto Rico Rising

By Aydasara Ortega

The multitudinous and persistent demonstrations that call for the governor’s resignation show that democracy and dignity walk together. Puerto Rico demands loud and clear: “Ricky resign!”

Podcast: A Conversation About Conversation

By Jenna Spinelle

Why is it so hard for people to talk to each other? There are a lot of easy answers we can point to, like social media and political polarization, but there’s another explanation that goes a bit deeper.

Revisiting Political Party Funding Disclosure In Zimbabwe

By Farai Chirimumimba

Zimbabwe is one of very few democracies in the world that don’t register political parties and regulate private funding of political parties and candidates. Most countries have laws that make it mandatory.

Behind Populist Authoritarianism: Brazil and Other Recent Hellscapes

By David Anderson, J.D.

Brazil is a country whose citizenry rarely enjoy good governance. They were doing well in recent years despite the fact their politicians seemed to be regularly impeached, locked up or otherwise disgraced.

Podcast: The Past, Present, and Future of Protests

Listen to the episode on the Democracy Works podcast Today, we think of protests as a pillar

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.

Kansas Firing Range To Double As A Voting Site

Barton Community College’s Science and Math building will no longer be a voting site for residents of Barton County Township-A.