Politics

➡️ GLOBAL POLITICS Guide - Stay Informed & Engaged. Use Your Vote!

Politics affects everything around us. It influences the kind of world we live in today and shapes it for future generations. One of the biggest challenges to democracy that we face is political apathy.

In the U.S. 2024 presidential election, only 66% of citizens of voting age cast their ballot, the highest voter turnout since 1960. Lack of positive change, similarities between candidates, disconnection between your own life and governmental policies, corruption, propaganda and media influence, misinformation campaigns, and absence of political education and understanding are considerable barriers to progress and social improvements.

Countries with higher levels of democracy and freedom produce governments which are accountable to their citizens and more responsive to their needs. An informed population can make smart political decisions. Poor governance fuels poverty, inequality, inflation, unemployment, weak economic growth, violent conflict, rights violations, and the failure of important social provisions such as healthcare and education.

Jump straight to our resources on ➡️ Politics

Explore our comprehensive guides on -

• Political Resources, Ideologies & Threats to Democracy

• The United Nations & Global Politics

• Guide to North, Central & South American Politics

• Guide to European Politics (EU & Non-EU)

• Guide to Middle Eastern, Russian, Southeast Asian & Central Asian Politics

• Guide to North African & African Politics

• Exemplary Politicians & People in Politics

• Political & Civic Education

• The Suffrage Movement & Women's Political Participation

• Guides to the Economy, Democracy & Governance in the Developing World

Politics can define our quality of life; we must create the world we want our children to live in. The Climate Observatory found that during the 2019-2022 Bolsonaro administration, there was a 60% increase in deforestation, a 12% increase in greenhouse gas emissions, a 212% increase in Indigenous land invasion, and a 125% increase in illegal mining. This deliberate rollback of environmental protections proves that politicians leave behind a legacy that lasts for generations.

Political instability is rising. 54% of all countries are predicted to become more unstable by the end of 2025. Currently, 26% of the global population lives in fragile states, 92 countries are involved in war, military coups are on the rise, and high-level corruption is worsening.

Whilst one-third of the world is facing economic recession, world military expenditure is at a record high of $2,718 billion!

Anti-governmental protests have rocked the globe in recent years. Protesters have taken to the streets in record numbers in response to harsh austerity measures, authoritarian regimes, the rise of the right-wing, police brutality, the reversal of women's rights, continued investment in the fossil fuel industry, spiralling costs of living, election fraud, media censorship, and failure to address climate change.

The coronavirus pandemic, the climate crisis, the global food crisis, the Russian war in Ukraine, and the War on Gaza have plunged the world into a multi-crisis. The worrying influence of social media, filter bubbles, fake news, and artificial intelligence have added further threats to democracy and political education. More than ever, we need strong, transparent, and citizen-focused governance.

Follow our excellent Twitter list on Politics for critical analysis and updates from key political experts, activists, politicians, political scientists, NGOs, and international relations experts.

German speakers should visit our partner site Bessere Welt Info for over 50,000 links to political resources from a European perspective.

Global Politics & the United Nations

Global politics refers to large-scale political processes that shape our world. Various international GOs, such as the IMF, World Bank, and WTO, are key players in global governance. Global politics oversees issues related to globalisation, conflict, democracy, peace, the environment, debt, the global war on drugs, and many other international concerns.

Our toolbox on the United Nations contains everything you need to know about this huge global organisation addressing our planet's most pressing issues. Find over 800 resources to the latest news, the Sustainable Development Goals, UNESCO, UNICEF, and WHO, as well as their work in peacekeeping, disarmament, the environment, human rights, and international development.

Politics in North America

Explore an extensive guide to U.S. elections and an excellent toolbox for voters in our U.S.A. political guide. Find comprehensive information on massive inequality and social injustice, right-wing populism, democracy under threat, devastating school shootings and lack of gun control, the Roe V. Wade abortion debate, tax injustice, unions, the environment, energy, agriculture, police brutality and the Black Lives Matter Campaign, immigration, and more. Check out and follow our excellent Twitter list on U.S. politics for critical analysis from key U.S. political experts, activists, and politicians.

Discover comprehensive coverage of political developments in Mexico and Canada, including the ongoing war on drugs, the impact of Trump's new trade tariffs, and the new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Politics in Europe

Explore guides to past elections, governmental institutions, EU expansion, environmental and energy policies, and increasing EU militarisation. Follow the developments of EU member states and learn about political instability and unrest in France, rising right-wing policies in Poland, democracy under threat in Hungary, and the huge immigration problem in Greece.

Regarding non-EU member states, you will find an impressive 10,000 links in our guide to the Russian war in Ukraine from a peace perspective and an in-depth look at the involvement of Belarus and its recent political crisis. Explore in-depth coverage of UK politics, including Brexit, the UK Police and Crime bill, NHS privatisation, immigration controversies, austerity programmes, the struggling UK economy, and how British political turmoil has resulted in 6 Prime Ministers in 7 years.

Politics in South America

Find extensive coverage of the latest political instability in Ecuador, the protests and political crisis in Peru, a detailed account of the new constitution in Chile and Gabriel Boric’s fight against far-right influence, the work of President Lula in Brazil to repair the damage done by Bolsonaro, the ongoing crisis in Venezuela and much more.

Politics in Central America

Featuring issues such as the U.S. embargo against Cuba, the controversial anti-gang crackdown in El Salvador, the corruption crisis in Guatemala, the political turmoil in Haiti, and ongoing protests and governmental repression in Nicaragua.

Politics in the Middle-East

Political tensions, conflict, religious intolerance, the presence of valuable natural resources, and foreign intervention have turned the Middle East into an unstable and volatile part of the world.

Learn about the decades-long oppression of Palestinians by Israel, the controversial 2023 Turkish elections, 12 years of unrest in Syria, the devastating humanitarian crisis in Yemen, repressive governmental regimes in Iran, and the struggles in post-invasion Iraq.

Politics in South East & Central Asia

The 2022 floods in Pakistan sent the country into economic collapse, which was then followed by the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan on alleged corruption charges. Security concerns, a fragile economy, ongoing conflict over Kashmir, and increasing polarisation continue to plague the country.

Seventy-five years since the partition of India from British rule, and we are still witnessing tensions. Controversial Prime Minister Modi is in the spotlight for his dire record on human rights, democracy, right-wing policies, censorship, the 2019 Citizenship Law, and increasing discrimination against Muslims in India. Follow the ongoing economic crisis in Sri Lanka and how anti-government protesters have gathered to challenge inflation, repression, and fuel and food shortages.

The crisis in Myanmar began in 2021 after a military coup cast the country into an increasingly dangerous conflict. Increasing tensions between North Korea and South Korea are causing global concerns as North Korea continues to show off its military and nuclear capabilities.

The political status of Taiwan is again being drawn into the spotlight as China continues to ramp up its military presence in the seas around the island. China is set on reunification, whereas Taiwan, with its own constitution and elected leaders, sees itself as independent. U.S. posturing and intervention are adding further fuel to the fire.

The 20-year war led by the U.S. in Afghanistan has resulted in 2 decades and counting of suffering by the Afghan people. Now, under Taliban rule, the human rights situation has deteriorated, the economy is in crisis, malnutrition is rife, women's rights are non-existent, and mass unemployment and poverty have become the norm. Learn more about the insurgency, the humanitarian costs of war, and the rollback of civil and political rights in Afghanistan.

Politics in Africa & North Africa

There are 35 armed conflicts currently taking place in Africa, making it an extremely volatile and unstable region. Weak governance, a high number of military takeovers, ethnic and religious violence, terrorism, and the backsliding of democracy have created the perfect conditions for corruption and war.

The 2023 Sudan conflict has become a further catalyst for instability in the region as the effects ripple through the surrounding countries and beyond, the humanitarian situation has become deplorable.

Read more on the political situation in the particularly fragile countries of Libya, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Cameroon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Democracy & Political Engagement for a Better World

We believe political education is the key to ending apathy and poor governance. The link between high voter turnouts and education has been documented for many decades. Governments must be held accountable for their actions, or lack thereof.

Not all politicians are the same, there are good ones fighting for the rights of citizens, for state services, and who are led by human rights values. Universal healthcare, pension and social security schemes, commitment to the rule of law, anti-corruption mechanisms, transparency, and freedom of information are all examples of good governance.

Explore our political heroes, including Bernie Sanders, George Galloway, Nelson Mandela, Elizabeth Warren, Salma Yaqoob, and Kofi Annan. You can even find a compilation of historical political thinkers whose theories created a culture of critical thinking and greater political comprehension.

We must protect the freedom of democracy, promote political engagement, and empower young leaders. One vote really can make a difference.

“The vote is precious. It is the most powerful non-violent tool we have in a democratic society, and we must use it.” - American politician and civil rights activist, John Lewis

Better World Info is an open platform – We invite experts, NGOs, campaigners, and activists to contribute their knowledge and top resources! We are a constantly expanding, work-in-progress, committed to spreading reliable, critical, and investigative resources to help create an informed, knowledgeable, and curious world.

Author: Rachael Mellor, 27.06.23 (Updated 28.04.25) licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

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