What Is Authoritarianism?
How concentrated and weakly accountable political power differs from democratic government
Read analysisFreedom
Freedom and Authoritarianism
Evidence-based examination of authoritarian governments, dictatorship, transnational repression, censorship, surveillance, foreign interference and human-rights abuse.
This section distinguishes established facts, credible allegations, analysis, opinion and unresolved questions, while considering lawful, democratic and nonviolent responses.
Editorial principles
This section distinguishes established facts, credible allegations, analysis, opinion and unresolved questions. It supports lawful, democratic and nonviolent responses to abuse.
What Is Transnational Repression?
How governments reach across borders to intimidate, silence, control or punish people living abroad
Read analysisHow Democracies Become Authoritarian
How elected governments can gradually weaken courts, elections, media, civil society and the restraints on political power
Read analysisWhy Freedom of Expression Matters
Why the freedom to question, criticise, investigate and exchange ideas is essential to truth, human dignity and accountable government
Read analysisHow Authoritarian Governments Control Information
How censorship, propaganda, surveillance, secrecy and media capture restrict what people can know and safely communicate
Read analysisWhat Are Human Rights and Why Are They Universal?
Why every person possesses fundamental rights regardless of nationality, belief, identity, status, popularity or political power
Read analysisWhat Is the Rule of Law and Why Does It Matter?
Why laws must bind rulers as well as citizens, be publicly known, equally applied and independently enforced
Read analysisWhy Judicial Independence Matters
Why judges must be free from political pressure, corruption, intimidation and personal influence when deciding cases
Read analysisWhy Free and Fair Elections Matter
Why genuine political choice requires more than placing a ballot into a box on election day
Read analysisWhy a Free Press Matters
Why independent journalism, access to information and the safety of journalists are essential to freedom and accountable government
Read analysisWhy Freedom of Association Matters
Why people must be free to organise political parties, unions, charities, campaigns, religious groups and other voluntary associations
Read analysisWhy Freedom of Peaceful Assembly Matters
Why people must be free to gather, protest, demonstrate, march and express collective views without unnecessary interference
Read analysisWhy Freedom of Religion or Belief Matters
Why every person must be free to hold, change, reject and practise religious or non-religious beliefs without coercion
Read analysisWhy the Right to Privacy Matters
Why people need protection for their personal lives, communications, homes, identities and information
Read analysisWhy the Right to a Fair Trial Matters
Why justice requires independent courts, equal treatment, evidence, a genuine defence and decisions reached through fair procedures
Read analysisWhy Protection from Arbitrary Arrest and Detention Matters
Why no person should lose their liberty without lawful grounds, evidence, fair procedures and prompt independent review
Read analysisWhy Protection from Torture and Cruel Treatment Matters
Why no person may be tortured, abused, humiliated or subjected to inhuman or degrading treatment under any circumstances
Read analysisIs China an Autocratic Dictatorship?
An evidence-based examination of Communist Party rule, political power, elections, civil liberties and whether the description is justified
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