Global Scans · Democracy · Weekly Summary

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WHAT'S NEXT?: Society is expressing its discontent with current democratic processes that leave the elites struggling to convince their voters of their good intentions and competencies. Read on to see how democracy is offering both great opportunities and risks while this period of volatility shakes out.

• [New] America remains a global leader in life sciences investment and innovation, but access to healthcare in the US is uneven, regulations are uncertain, and the presidential election poses risks to Pharma. Pharmaphorum
• [New] As a global foundation working to safeguard democracy from digital threats - from illegal data collection to algorithmic polarization - we know the role of AI throughout 2024's global marathon of elections will shape public debates and policy for years to come. Politico
• [New] The Democratic Party, if it retains the White House in the next election, will have one last chance to try diplomacy with Iran. ai-cio
• [New] Tougher sanctions enforcement against Iranian oil shipments by the U.S. could raise oil prices but would risk higher inflation and pump prices for U.S. motorists in an election year. AP News
• [New] Consensus destroys democracy by greatly curtailing the possibility that spirited discussion, diverse viewpoints and rigorous critique - all essential to maintaining the democratic process - will play a major role in shaping the direction of the U.S. and other democracies. The Conversation
• [New] A record number of elections will take place, with half the adult population of the world, some two billion people, having the chance to vote. University of Cambridge
• [New] Democrats have made abortion rights a central issue of their campaigns in Arizona, which was already expected to be a major battleground, and Florida, a longtime election bellwether that has swung further to the right in recent years. The Guardian
• [New] There is a real possibility that Austria's elections might see a return to power for the far right, Putin-supporting Freedom party, if another party can be convinced to join it in a coalition. The Guardian
• [New] The European Parliament voted in favour of a draft law that will reduce average carbon emissions of new heavy-duty vehicles by 45% as of 2030, 65% as of 2035 and 90% as of 2040. www.euractiv.com
• [New] More importantly, 2024 is a presidential election year and the Black vote could be pivotal in determining the election outcomes in crucial battleground states like Georgia, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Ohio. Defender Network
• [New] With the upcoming presidential election, there is an acute sense of urgency to secure support for Ukraine before a possible change in the U.S. administration, which could lead to a reduction or cessation of aid. Trendy Digests
• In 2024, cybersecurity continues a shift from a mere technological concern to a critical business issue thanks to global conflicts, major elections (including that of the White House), looming terrorist threats, and other developments. Blog | TechMagic
• Elections for Europe's parliament which take place in June could see big gains for the far-right and impact policy from support for Ukraine in its war against Russia's full-scale invasion to measures to address climate change. Ariana News
• Conflict in the Middle East and Ukraine, a year of elections around the world, and rising regulatory uncertainty in natural resource sectors, are refocusing attention on political risks in commodity markets. Gilmore
• There are fears Donald Trump could halt military support for Ukraine if he wins November's presidential election, or even withdraw Washington's security guarantee for Europe entirely. The Telegraph
• The aging population and the technological revolution are megatrends that will dominate the investment landscape for years to come regardless of what the Fed does, or GDP in the next few quarters, or whoever gets elected president. Cabot Wealth
• The Kremlin may hope to use pro-Russian political parties in Moldova and the PSB payments to Gagauzia in similar tactics to influence Moldova's upcoming elections, particularly the presidential election in late 2024 and parliamentary elections in the summer of 2025. Critical Threats
• Beyond mere operational enhancements, the true potential of tokenized investments lies in their ability to democratize finance, granting broader access to investment opportunities for the general population through fractionalized investments in global assets. The UCW Newswire
• There are elections to navigate first - in the US, India, and South Korea - that could introduce new uncertainty. Founders Forum Group
• The Biden administration has cited fears about escalation from Russia when it comes to the strikes inside its borders, but the cost of oil is also a sensitive political issue, especially in an election year. KEYE
• Thirty major central banks are expected to cut rates in the second half of 2024, a year when more than seventy nations will have elections, which often means massive increases in government spending. Eurasia Review

Last updated: 21 April 2024