Democracy Archives - YES! Magazine Solutions Journalism

Political Violence Is Not Violence Against Politicians

Indigenous communities have long resisted the false narratives of imperialist nations and are experts at countering the political violence of white supremacy.

Janene Yazzie | Jul 18, 2024

Addressing America’s Political Amnesia

Have voters forgotten about the slide toward fascism precipitated by Trump? Journalist Tara McGowan sounds the alarm.

| Jun 7, 2024

Can Women Win?

It will take concerted action to ensure that women belong in the House.

Erin Aubry Kaplan | May 23, 2024

Opinion | Wealth Inequality | Capitalism

Breaking Up With Capitalism

A paradigm shift for our economy begins when we name and see the anti-democratic bias that lies at the heart of our capital-centric system.

Marjorie Kelly | May 7, 2024

Christina Harvey, executive director of Stand Up America, spoke with YES! Senior Editor Sonali Kolhatkar on YES! Presents: Rising Up With Sonali about how her organization is preparing for a Trump presidential nomination.

Trump Wins in Iowa. Now What?

With Donald Trump’s landslide win at the Iowa Republican caucuses, pro-democracy groups are planning massive voter education campaigns.

| Jan 17, 2024

Supporters of former president Donald Trump are pictured scaling the walls of the U.S. Capitol Building on Jan. 6, 2021.

The Growing Pains of a Changing Nation

Our country is multiracial but our democracy isn’t—yet.

Sonali Kolhatkar | Aug 31, 2023

Reviving Radio: An Old Technology Remains Relevant

It's true that far-right groups are relying on radio communications. But radio’s connection to movement organizing has a much longer and richer history.

Marianne Dhenin | Jul 24, 2023

Illustration of fist raised to the air covered in flames

Opinion | Republicans | midterms | Democrats

Reckoning With Right-Wing Violence

When one of the nation’s two political parties no longer believes in the democratic process, what happens to democracy?

John Restakis | Nov 8, 2022

Opinion

Can a Third Party Be the Charm for Polarized Politics?

Outsider parties can have an effect on electoral outcomes aside from being labeled spoilers. But they almost never change the two-party dynamic.

Chris Winters | Sep 7, 2022

Can We Make an Alien Nation Familiar Again?

The decline of civil society has been well-documented, but its political turn poses a unique danger for the U.S.

Chris Winters | Mar 10, 2022

Excerpt | News

Trustworthy News for a New Normal

For a new normal based on democratic principles, we need a vigilant and truly free press.

Andy Lee Roth, Mickey Huff | Jan 4, 2022

How Women of Color in Congress Are Pushing a Grassroots Agenda

Despite roadblocks, the “Squad” has pushed progressive legislation, scrutinized the powerful, and changed the conversation around who gets to hold political power.

Sonali Kolhatkar | Jul 29, 2021

Does Every Vote Still Count?

Democrats don’t seem too worried about the current Republican war on voting rights. They should be.

Chris Winters | Jul 12, 2021

The Deaf Women Suffragists Left Out of History Books

Despite harsh, discriminatory conditions, countless deaf women fought with brilliance and dedication for personal and professional recognition, including for the right to vote.

Joan Marie Naturale | Mar 24, 2021

The American Myths of Bigger and Better

Instead of insisting on superlatives amidst spiking inequalities and insurgent fascism, we should be striving toward policies that are socially responsible and work to establish decent baselines.

John Washington | Feb 16, 2021

We Need New Ideas to Resolve America’s Divisions

With one political party standing in support of a violent insurrection, we need better solutions than just “reconciliation.”

Mike Males | Jan 22, 2021

How Nonviolent Activists Helped Oppose the Coup

Activists prepared for months, expecting Trump to steal the election. They were right, and he failed.

Stephen Zunes | Jan 20, 2021

Was Impeaching President Trump “Pointless Revenge”?

Not if it sends a message to future presidents.

Michael Blake | Jan 19, 2021

Excerpt | White Supremacy | Racial Equity | Racial Justice

To Dismantle Tyranny, We Need Racial Integration

Fifty years after the civil rights movement, our country remains overwhelmingly segregated and overwhelmingly unjust.

Calvin Baker | Jan 18, 2021

From Nazism to Democracy: Lessons from Germany

The U.S. finds itself in a different place and time than postwar Germany, but the challenge is similar.

Sylvia Taschka | Jan 15, 2021

Excerpt | Police | Criminal Justice Reform | Donald Trump

From Anxiety to Authoritarianism

The human “fight or flight” response gives demagogues like Trump a tool for political manipulation. But we could replace oppression with a system of care.

Zach Norris | Jan 11, 2021

This Is America

This country was founded on violence and desecration. If you want it to be better, prove it.

Zenobia Jeffries Warfield | Jan 7, 2021

Opinion | Jobs | Economy | Climate Crisis | Climate Change

Biden Needs to Go Big to Rebuild America

There’s an easy way for Biden to help restart the U.S. economy, invest in infrastructure, and repair environmental damage: Revive the Civilian Conservation Corps.

Neil M. Maher | Dec 7, 2020

Opinion | Racial Justice | Racial Equity | Asian Americans | API Stories

For Asian Americans, Civic Participation Is Visibility

Organizing around the Census and the election amplified the voice and visibility of Asian Americans in Texas. And visibility is the key to creating belonging in a robust democracy.

Suchitra V. Gururaj | Nov 24, 2020

In Brazil, Women Candidates Find Strength in Numbers

Brazilian women are breaking into politics by joining together in collective candidacies, which allow politicians to build stronger coalitions and push for progressive change.

Isabela Dias | Nov 12, 2020

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