Analysis and research on governance, political regimes and economic policies from the BTI Transformation Index

 

Autocratization and the decline of international cooperation

The last decade has not been favorable to democracy worldwide. The rise of right-wing populists and the hardening of autocratic rule have left clear imprints. The Bertelsmann Stiftung’s Transformation Index BTI traces this development for 137 developing countries and emerging economies, or four-fifths of the world’s population. For this purpose, we provide more than 5,000 pages of country analyses and a comprehensive data package. read more

 
drone on runway

How Turkey Transforms Libya

Turkey’s decisive military power determined the outcome of Libya’s last civil war, with bilateral agreements leaving a lasting imprint on both countries whilst transforming the regional order and balance of power in the process. read more

police officer observing violent demonstrators

BTI 2022: An Alarm Signal for Democracy

In the Bertelsmann Transformation Index 2022, authoritarian states are in the majority for the first time ever. But there are also signs of hope. read more

 

From Ambiguity to Adaptation: How to Shift Gears in EU-Ukrainian Relations

When it comes to Ukrainian membership of the EU, the war has exposed the bloc’s failed balancing act between its neighborhood and accession policies – and exacerbated the economic quandary of full integration. A clear strategy towards Ukrainian membership will require the EU to revisit its fundamental core. read more

ukraine and eu flags

 
syringe with corona vaccine

Vaccine Production in Rwanda: A step toward vaccine access equity for Africa

In October 2021, Rwanda announced that it will house a vaccine manufacturing plant using the mRNA technology of the German start-up BioNTech, which co-developed the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. It is hoped that the construction starts no later than mid-2022. Will the plan accelerate the continent’s lackluster vaccination rate? read more

Logo Democracy Without Borders

Democracy Without Borders features BTI

On 24 February 2022, Russia launched a large-scale military invasion of Ukraine, one of its neighbouring countries, marking a steep escalation of a conflict that began with its annexation of Crimea in 2014. Studies of the global state of freedom and democracy suggest that this aggressive action by the Russian state is just the latest example of a broader structural change in international relations: autocracies are becoming bolder, more radical and more numerous. Three recent reports by Freedom House, Bertelsmann Stiftung and V-Dem shed a light on this worrying trend. read more

 
Claudia Härterich

The BTI Team Says Farewell to Claudia Härterich

Our colleague Claudia has left the Bertelsmann Stiftung and the BTI to take on new professional challenges. Dedicated and driven in pushing the BTI’s messages, committed to profoundness in analysis, kind and creative in working together, we will miss her dearly and wish her all the very best.

 

Outlook

 

In our next newsletter, you will find articles on the Philippine elections, the precarious security situation in the Sahel and a review of political transformation after 65 years or independence in Ghana.

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