Misinformation, propaganda, and online influence operations are increasingly pervasive forces in politics, elections, and society, reshaping the way citizens engage with political processes. In today’s hyper-connected world, digital platforms are not only used for political mobilization but have also become battlegrounds for disinformation campaigns designed to distort facts, sway voters, and manipulate public opinion. These tactics exploit the viral nature of social media, often spreading faster than fact-checking can keep up, leading to the erosion of trust in institutions, media, and even democratic processes themselves. In electoral contexts, such operations can delegitimize outcomes, polarize voters, and create a climate of fear or confusion. Governments, political actors, and foreign entities increasingly deploy these tools to control narratives, influence perceptions, and suppress dissent. Understanding the mechanisms behind these operations is critical for strengthening democratic resilience, promoting informed citizenship, and protecting electoral integrity in an age where truth is often contested in the digital arena.

Populism, and media discourse around populism itself, have had a polarising effect in many democracies. Many people adore or revile populist politicians, but it’s important to find the signal in the noise, to separate politics from aesthetics, and to encourage a public that can find common ground, but also a public that is unafraid to engage with and where necessary, robustly debate, their political ideas. We run the risk of rejecting all populist parties out of hand, or painting them with the same brush, and using this is an excuse not to engage with the underlying issue – if populism is a problem, then we need an account of why there are populists in the first place. 

Polarization and inequality in politics, elections, and society are deeply interconnected and pose significant challenges to democratic governance and social cohesion. As economic inequality widens, it fuels political divisions, often exacerbating existing cleavages along class, ethnic, and ideological lines. In many societies, marginalized groups feel left behind by economic systems and political elites, leading to growing disenchantment with democratic institutions. This resentment can manifest in polarized political landscapes, where populist leaders exploit grievances, using divisive rhetoric to galvanize support while demonizing opponents. In elections, polarization creates an “us versus them” mentality, reducing space for moderate or consensus-building politics and making compromise increasingly difficult. Inequality also distorts political representation, as wealthier individuals and groups wield disproportionate influence over policy decisions through campaign financing, lobbying, and media control. Studying the intersection of polarization and inequality is crucial for understanding how social and economic disparities drive political instability, erode trust in institutions, and challenge efforts to build inclusive, democratic societies.

The quality and strength of democracies, alongside the phenomenon of authoritarian diffusion, are critical to understanding global political trends in contemporary politics. Strong democracies are defined by robust institutions, rule of law, electoral integrity, and meaningful citizen participation, while weaker democracies often struggle with corruption, fragile institutions, and eroding public trust. As democratic norms weaken in certain regions, authoritarian diffusion—the spread of autocratic governance models—becomes a growing concern. Authoritarian regimes increasingly exchange strategies for consolidating power, such as media control, legal repression of opposition, and electoral manipulation, which are adopted by leaders in fragile democracies. This diffusion not only undermines democratic processes within individual states but can also weaken regional and international commitments to democratic governance. Research into these dynamics is essential for identifying the tipping points where democracies falter, understanding the global networks of authoritarianism, and developing strategies to safeguard democratic resilience against the growing influence of autocratic practices.

Elections play a pivotal role in shaping political dynamics and societal structures, serving as a key mechanism for democratic engagement and governance. In modern contexts, the intersection between technology and electoral practices has transformed how elections are conducted and experienced. Digital tools, from social media platforms to electronic voting systems, have streamlined electoral processes, enhanced voter access, and enabled more efficient management of votes and results. However, these advancements also bring challenges, including the risks of cyber interference, misinformation campaigns, and the exploitation of personal data for targeted political messaging. The impact of technology on elections highlights the dual-edged nature of digital innovation—while it can enhance transparency and inclusivity, it also necessitates rigorous safeguards to protect electoral integrity and public trust. As technology continues to evolve, understanding its influence on elections is crucial for ensuring that democratic processes remain fair, secure, and resilient against manipulation.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly reshaping politics, elections, and society, offering both opportunities and risks for democratic governance. On one hand, AI tools can enhance political participation by analyzing voter behavior, optimizing campaign strategies, and improving government services through data-driven policymaking. AI-driven platforms also enable faster and more accurate detection of misinformation, helping to protect electoral integrity. However, the use of AI raises significant ethical concerns, particularly regarding surveillance, data privacy, and the potential for algorithmic bias. In elections, AI can be weaponized for disinformation campaigns, micro-targeting voters with manipulative content, or even interfering with electoral processes. In authoritarian regimes, AI is often used for political control through facial recognition and predictive policing. As AI continues to permeate political life, understanding its implications is crucial for balancing innovation with safeguards to protect democratic values, ensuring that technological advancements do not undermine transparency, fairness, and public trust in democratic institutions.