Political scientist Carolina Plescia at the University of Vienna explains the alarming results of the Democracy Report 2026, especially the rapid democratic backsliding of the United States. With stronger electoral institutions, societal protests and most importantly, early action, there is hope for re-democratisation.

Taxation without representation. 1.5 million residents across Austria live, work and pay taxes without a vote. Lawyer Anuscheh Farahat at the University of Vienna on the 'democratic gap' running through Austrian politics, and why she thinks the fix begins at birth: automatic citizenship for children born in the country and an easier path to naturalisation for everyone else.

A glance back at history shows that democracy cannot be taken for granted. Historian Claudia Kraft and political scientist Fabio Wolkenstein, both at the University of Vienna, explain how to recognise the early warning signs of democratic backsliding – and what keeps democracy resilient.

Autocracies and illiberal democracies are on the rise globally and, as in the case of China, appear to be quite 'successful'. Rudolphina discusses the underlying causes and circumstances with Christian Göbel, expert in Chinese studies.