About Democracy Lab
Democracy Lab is Foreign Policy's home for coverage of transitions to democracy, published in partnership with the Legatum Institute. Democracy Lab also runs Transitions, a blog featuring on-the-ground coverage of transitioning countries.
Editor, Christian Caryl
Assistant Editor, Ilya Lozovsky
Learn more about Democracy Lab here.
Our Top Weekend Reads
Britain is becoming like America, the Egyptian government is facing pressure on social media, and sending international students home could undermine U.S. soft power.
The Curious Case of ‘Russian Lives Matter’
In Moscow, the Kremlin attacks U.S. racism while the liberal opposition ignores it, or worse.
Guilt by Location
Around the world, security forces use forced displacement as a means of sorting populations. To fix the global displacement crisis, it’s critical to understand how and why they do it.
Poland’s Presidential Race Is Down To The Wire
Incumbent Andrzej Duda is no longer coasting to re-election. Has the pandemic ripped up the right-wing populist playbook?
The Foreign-Policy Blob Is Structurally Racist
A social revolution could transform domestic policy—but it won’t change the way policy is conducted abroad.
The Turkish Government Closed a University Because It Fears Free Speech
Ankara shut an institution founded by religious conservatives and attacks tech companies in order to stop young Turks from accessing a free academic and media environment.
Trump Promotes Senior Diplomats, Including Star Impeachment Witness
George Kent, promoted to a new rank in the senior foreign service, has avoided the grim fate of other impeachment witnesses.
Does ‘Hamilton’ Have All the Answers for U.S. Foreign Policy?
The Broadway musical offers lessons on everything from regime change to balancing ideals and interests.
Xu Zhangrun Was China’s Loyal Opposition. Now, He’s In Jail.
One of the few remaining scholars openly standing against Xi Jinping is a reformist, not a revolutionary.
Galleries
The Week in World Photos
Global protests against government-imposed lockdowns, gang violence in El Salvador, and hat tips to medical staff.
The Week in World Photos
A prayerful start to Ramadan, medical workers on the front lines of a pandemic, and the annual Lyrids meteor shower.
In the Magazine
In the Magazine
How to Save Global Capitalism From Itself
Decentralizing decision-making can help left-behind regions get back on track.
Britain’s Post-Brexit Identity Crisis
Boris Johnson has contradictory ideas for his country’s future—and no clear paths for getting there.
The Ugly End of Chimerica
The coronavirus pandemic has turned a conscious uncoupling into a messy breakup.
The 3 Most Polarizing Words in India
“Jai Shri Ram” was meant to be a celebration of a Hindu deity. But the phrase is turning into hate speech—and a dog whistle for attacks on Muslims.