More than Just Bitcoin

The Potential of Blockchain Technology, Using the Example of Latin America

Today, blockchain technology (BT) has already claimed a prominent position in the sphere of digitalisation. It is becoming increasingly clear that it has countless potential applications, that extend far beyond the Bitcoin digital currency. Eventually, it might even be a safe alternative to weak state institutions, particularly in emerging and developing countries.

Of Facebook Revolutions and Twitter Presidents

How Digitalisation Changes Political Decision-Making

In 2010, the internet was thought to be an instrument of global democratisation. But with the onset of the “Arab winter”, that hope has given way to severe disappointment. Now, the internet is even blamed for the increasing populism. An attempt at a sober assessment.

Of Streams of Data, Thought, and Other Things

Digitalisation, Energy Policy, and Innovation Capacity From an Asian Perspective

What influence do digitalisation processes have on the use of energy and raw materials? What innovation dynamics result from the potential, still far from exhausted, of these developments? And what influence does all this have on the geoeconomic and geopolitical interrelationships in the international system? This article addresses these questions from an Asian perspective.

Rules for Robots

Why We Need a Digital Magna Carta or the Age of Intelligent Machines

We stand at a turning point in human history, on the threshold of an unknown digital future. A powerful new technology, artificial intelligence (AI), permeates every area of our lives, largely thanks to advances in neural networks, modelled loosely on the human brain. Our societies and economies have become increasingly dependent on the use of artificial intelligence. A new set of rules is needed in order to ensure that freedom, inclusion and growth are safeguarded in the future. In other words, we need a digital Magna Carta for the age of cognitive machines.

Scattered Dreams

The Independence Referendum, the Fall of Kirkuk and the Effect on Kurdish and Iraqi Politics

Even before the official defeat of the so-called Islamic State (IS) in Iraq, the Kurdish independence referendum has brought the country on the brink of yet another civil war and has fundamentally changed the political situation in the country. Iraq’s new reality necessitates a shift in German Iraq policy, including an adjustment of the Federal Republic’s military contribution to the country.

Society 5.0

Japanese Ambitions and Initiatives

Facing pressing challenges in demography, politics and society, Japan seeks salvation in a digital future. All aspects of life shall be interconnected to make life easier. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his government are determined to turn this idea into reality soon.

The Digital Natives Are Coming!

How Social Media Are Changing Political Discourse in Kenya

In many regions of the world, the ideal of the internet as an instrument of political freedom has not been fulfilled. Instead, the internet is increasingly used as a means of maintaining power for the elites. In many African states, and especially in Kenya, this conflict has not yet been resolved. Here, the youth, who make up the majority of the population, have a good chance of creating a freer, fairer society via the internet. But without well thought-out support, they are unlikely to succeed.

Ein Land im Zorn - Brasiliens schwache Demokratie

Jan Woischnik, Leiter des Brasilien-Büros der Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, im hr2-Podcast

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva war ein charismatischer Hoffnungsträger über Brasilien hinaus, doch betrachtet man seine Karriere von Europa aus, kommt man ins Grübeln. Wie rekrutieren die brasilianischen Parteien eigentlich ihr politisches Personal? Welche institutionellen Sicherungen kennt das politische System gegen korrupte Mandatsträger? Noch gilt das Land als größte Demokratie Südamerikas. Aber die Fassade bröckelt. Für die kommende Präsidentschaftswahl läuft sich bereits ein Mann warm, den viele als "brasilianischen Trump" bezeichnen: Jair Messias Bolsonaro.

Katalonien und der Verfall der EU

Wilhelm Hofmeister in der F.A.Z. über das Verhalten in Deutschland gegenüber dem katalanischen Separatismus

Wenn zu Beginn des nächsten Jahrhunderts Historiker den Verfall der Europäischen Union und der sich daran anschließenden Konflikte auf dem Kontinent beschreiben, werden sie gewiss in der Tradition von Thukydides nach den wahren Ursache (prophasis) und den unmittelbaren Gründen (aitiai) für das neuerliche Desaster suchen. Es ist unschwer vorauszusehen, dass das Verhalten in Deutschland gegenüber dem katalanischen Separatismus als einer der Gründe (aitiai) für den Verfall der EU erkannt werden wird.

EVP-Parteienbarometer Februar/März 2018

EVP-Parteienfamilie in der EU | Wahlergebnisse der größten EVP-Mitgliedspartei in den letzten nationalen Parlamentswahlen | Stärkste politische Familie in Umfragen | Europawahlergebnisse der EVP-Parteien 2014 | Regierungsbeteiligung EVP-Parteien | Staats- oder Regierungschefs nach politischer Familie