Cornell Policy Review

On February 4th, President Bukele of El Salvador was reelected unconstitutionally, with an approval rating of over 87%, marking a key moment in Latin American and Caribbean (LACS) history. The region now faces a tough decision: protect democracy or move toward authoritarian rule. While authoritarian governments may improve security, they often do so by undermining democracy and harming the rights of the most vulnerable. Sebastian Rodriguez looks into this issue and identifies the countries most at risk of following the "Bukele effect," based on views on democracy and violence levels. Read More: https://lnkd.in/eAtmjWkb #CornellPolicyReview #CornellMPA #ElSavador #LatinAmerica #Caribbean #LACS #PresidentBukele #Authoritarian #Democracy #Citizenship #Foreignpolicy  

The rise of right-wing populism (RWP) in Central and South America has significantly altered political landscapes, challenging established norms and democratic values. Economic anxieties, social frustrations, and dissatisfaction with traditional politics have propelled leaders like Jair Bolsonaro, Nayib Bukele, and Javier Milei to power through their anti-establishment rhetoric and charismatic appeal. Jenna Boccher and Alejandro Ramos examine the factors driving the rise of RWP, such as economic instability and political disillusionment, and discuss the implications for governance and democracy, including democratic erosion, increased social polarization, and human rights abuses. They discuss recommendations to counter these trends, including promoting good governance, combating misinformation, and addressing public grievances to restore trust in democratic systems. Overall, the paper aims to emphasize the importance of nuanced understanding and strategic responses to mitigate the risks posed by RWP and protect democratic principles in the region. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e2-4WgwN #CornellPolicyReview #CornellMPA #ForeignPolicy #Democracy #RingWingPopulism #SouthAmerica #CentralAmerica

We are excited to announce that The Cornell Policy Review is accepting applications for several positions within our team. These positions offer opportunities to contribute to a student-run policy journal and gain invaluable experience in the world of policy. If you are passionate about policy analysis, writing, and media and are eager to contribute to the discourse on policy issues, we encourage you to apply. For more information regarding open positions, please refer to the form or feel free to reach out!  We are excited to be working with new members who are joining our team! Apply through https://lnkd.in/dgsm5NW2

Celia Doherty proposes that Mali's military junta shift from using mercenaries and targeting civilians to engaging in direct dialogue with jihadist groups. This approach, which challenges conventional Western peacebuilding strategies, is essential for boosting state legitimacy, preventing coups, and fostering sustainable peace. Community leaders in Mali have already demonstrated success through grassroots negotiations, achieving stability that state-led efforts have failed to provide. By rethinking peacebuilding to include negotiations with jihadists, Mali could prioritize human security and long-term stability, moving beyond traditional methods. The current path of escalating violence is unsustainable, and embracing dialogue offers a more realistic solution for lasting peace. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eH2YehhY #CornellPolicyReview #CornellMPA #Mali #Military #jihadist #peace #Democracy #Foreignpolicy

The 2023 deportation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan highlights crucial issues surrounding citizenship, governance, and democracy. Arsham M. Bari, MPA ’25, analyzes Pakistan’s decision to repatriate Afghan refugees, examining its impact on both countries and its broader implications for international norms and human rights. By tracing the historical context of Pakistan hosting nearly 4 million Afghan refugees over the past four decades, the paper evaluates the evolving legal and policy frameworks since the Soviet-Afghan War, the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, and the Taliban's resurgence. It explores how Pakistan’s governance structures, national security concerns, and economic pressures shaped the deportation decision while also considering the challenges faced by deported refugees in Afghanistan. Bari further explores policy recommendations for humane and consistent governance of refugee populations, advocating for protecting democratic values and international human rights standards. Read More: https://lnkd.in/egd7Qe2k #CornellPolicyReview #CornellMPA #Refugees #AfghanRefugees #Pakistan #Deportation  #Democracy #Citizenship #Foreignpolicy  

Poland and India present two paths in the global struggle against far-right politics. Poland's opposition successfully rebuilt itself and ousted the ruling far-right party in the 2023 elections by mobilizing youth and promising to reverse democratic erosion. Meanwhile, India’s opposition coalition has struggled to gain traction against Prime Minister Modi's authoritarian policies, leading to another victory for Modi in the 2024 elections. With Poland on a path to recovery and India facing ongoing democratic challenges, Kalia Hall explores what each country's experience reveals about the fight for democracy and how successful their recovery efforts are in reversing backsliding. Read More: https://lnkd.in/e63wxxM8 #CornellPolicyReview #CornellMPA #Democracy #Foreignpolicy #Poland #India #redemocratization

Machine learning and AI are increasingly influencing both the public and private sectors, enhancing efficiency while also raising concerns about their impact on civil rights and judicial systems. Understanding the development of these technologies and anticipating ethical challenges is essential to effectively managing their risks. Ankitha Kasavaraju explores the benefits and potential drawbacks of AI in judicial processes, examining its influence on crime detection, legal proceedings, and sentencing.  By examining the impact on judges, lawyers, and defendants, a deeper understanding of how AI can reshape the judicial system and democracy can be gained. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eqtHCSRq #CornellPolicyReview #CornellMPA #Democracy #ArtificalIntelligence #Judicalsystem #fairness #justice #law #civicrights #AIinfluence 

The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) brings both opportunities and challenges to global democratic institutions. While AI offers efficiency and innovation, it also threatens democratic principles through surveillance, misinformation, and election interference. AI-driven technologies raise privacy concerns and can distort public discourse, impacting electoral integrity. Internationally, AI can exacerbate geopolitical tensions and empower authoritarian regimes. The lack of global AI regulations adds ethical and legal complexities. Determining liability for AI-induced harm is crucial. Robust policies and ethical guidelines are needed to ensure democratic institutions can adapt and thrive in an AI-dominated era.  Sarah Buszka (EMPA ‘24) proposes recommendations to navigate issues of liability, ensuring responsible parties—whether developers, operators, or institutions—are held accountable for AI’s impacts on democracy. Read More: https://lnkd.in/ez5_PSWH #CornellPolicyReview #CornellMPA #Democracy #ArtificalIntelligence #AI #Government #Governmentsurveillance #AImininformation #elections   

Since the late 1800s, the U.S. has struggled to balance regulating corporate monopolies and economic growth. This unresolved issue has allowed monopolies to gain excessive power through propaganda and tax cuts, posing a severe threat to democracy. Mia Barratt explores how corporate monopolies corrupt democratic processes through campaign donations, lobbying, and judicial influence. With the 2024 election approaching, there is a risk of further entrenching corporate power, as both political parties are influenced by corporate money, impeding regulation efforts and climate action. This highlights the urgent need to address monopolistic threats to democracy. Read More: https://lnkd.in/dG5N3sqZ #Cornellpolicyreview #CornellMPA #Monopolies #Threatstodemocracy #democracy 

"Dark money" refers to political funds spent by 501(c)(4) nonprofit organizations that are not required to disclose the identity of their donors. This lack of transparency threatens fair campaigns and democracy by hiding the donors' true intentions. Following the 2010 Citizens United v. FEC and SpeechNow.org v. FEC rulings, significant restrictions on political spending were repealed, enabling these nonprofits to act as intermediaries for donors contributing to super PACs without revealing their identities. This undermines accountability and allows significant political influence, particularly affecting state and local elections. Kira P. Tretiak proposes using "matching funds" public financing to counteract "dark money" influence and looks at New York State as a case study example. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eBMEBeGg #Cornellpolicyreview #CornellMPA #darkmoney #superPAC #nonprofits #donors