José Kaire
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Political scientist studying human rights and authoritarian politics @ASU_SPGS
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Articles by José Kaire
Autocracies get more repressive when opening up their economies – a political scientist explores why
The current state of democracy in the world is fragile. According to the V-Dem Project, which measures global democracy, 41% of the world’s population live in autocratizing countries — that is, those becoming more authoritarian. In fact, a “third wave of autocratization” has seen democracy pushed back to levels not seen since 1978, the authors of the 2026 V-Dem report conclude. Worse, many of the 92 autocracies around the world are becoming more repressive.
Autocracies get more repressive when opening up their economies
The current state of democracy in the world is fragile. According to the V-Dem Project, which measures global democracy, 41% of the world’s population live in autocratizing countries — that is, those becoming more authoritarian. In fact, a “third wave of autocratization” has seen democracy pushed back to levels not seen since 1978, the authors of the 2026 V-Dem report conclude. Worse, many of the 92 autocracies around the world are becoming more repressive.
Autocracies get more repressive when opening up their economies
The current state of democracy in the world is fragile. According to the V-Dem Project, which measures global democracy, 41% of the world’s population live in autocratizing countries — that is, those becoming more authoritarian. In fact, a “third wave of autocratization” has seen democracy pushed back to levels not seen since 1978, the authors of the 2026 V-Dem report conclude. Worse, many of the 92 autocracies around the world are becoming more repressive.
Autocracies get more repressive when opening up their economies – a political scientist explores why
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Autocracies get more repressive when opening up their economies – a political scientists explores why
The current state of democracy in the world is fragile. According to the V-Dem Project, which measures global democracy, 41% of the world’s population live in autocratizing countries — that is, those becoming more authoritarian. In fact, a “third wave of autocratization” has seen democracy pushed back to levels not seen since 1978, the authors of the 2026 V-Dem report conclude. Worse, many of the 92 autocracies around the world are becoming more repressive. Read complete article © The Conversation -
Autocracies get more repressive when opening up their economies – a political scientists explores why Original
The current state of democracy in the world is fragile. According to the V-Dem Project, which measures global democracy, 41% of the world’s population live in autocratizing countries — that is, those becoming more authoritarian. In fact, a “third wave of autocratization” has seen democracy pushed back to levels not seen since 1978, the authors of the 2026 V-Dem report conclude. Worse, many of the 92 autocracies around the world are becoming more repressive.
Autocracies get more repressive when opening up their economies – a political scientists explores why
The current state of democracy in the world is fragile. According to the V-Dem Project, which measures global democracy, 41% of the world’s population live in autocratizing countries — that is, those becoming more authoritarian. kAmk6>mx? 724E[ 2 “E9:C5 H2G6 @7 2FE@4C2E:K2E:@?” 92D D66? 56>@4C24J AFD965 324< E@ =6G6=D ?@E D66?
Las campañas de vergüenza como herramienta de derechos humanos
Crédito: eugenesergeev / iStock Promover los derechos humanos es una tarea de enormes proporciones. Acontecimientos recientes demuestran la rapidez con que los gobiernos y los agentes no estatales los violan. Frente a esta violencia, las organizaciones de derechos humanos y los periodistas desempeñan un papel crucial en la prevención de los abusos. Por desgracia, cada vez hay más escepticismo sobre su eficacia.
Shaming campaigns as a human rights tool
Credit: eugenesergeev / iStock Promoting human rights is a daunting task. Recent events show how quickly governments and non-state actors violate them. Against this violence, human rights organizations and journalists play a crucial role in preventing abuse. Unfortunately, there has been growing skepticism about their effectiveness. In particular, one of the main tools of advocates, shaming campaigns, does not seem to be as effective as we had hoped.
Why an anti-ICC narrative may help Kenyan leaders win votes
Anti-ICC narratives resonate with a crucial minority of Kenyan citizens, but not with victims of political violence. Recently, President Uhuru Kenyatta won a second consecutive term in office in Kenya. Yet, only six years prior, he was officially charged by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for orchestrating post-election violence in 2007 that was grave enough to qualify as crimes against humanity.
Reducing dependence on foreign aid-what will it take?
Modest investments into local fundraising capacity could transform the global human rights community into a truly sustainable and autonomous force, rather than an embattled, foreign aid-dependent sector. Photo EFEMEX / Sáshenka Gutiérrez Human rights organizations in the global South often prefer to raise money internationally because the distance from foreign donors gives them autonomy.
Exploring new possibilities beyond foreign funding in Brazil
Brazil has a potentially large philanthropy market, and social media may be key to tapping into this resource. For many years, large foreign financiers, such as foundations and multilateral funds, were the only source of funding for Brazilian human rights organizations. However, more recently, critics—such as conservative elements of society and government—have been questioning the dependence on these funders..
Strategic responses to the “Foreign Agent” label
Instead of letting governments define the terms, CSOs need to take “foreign agent” allegations seriously and address them strategically. Photo:Vitaly Taranov on Unsplash The most obvious way to make CSOs less vulnerable to the “foreign agent” charge is to reduce reliance on foreign funding.
A levy in the African Union could be a step towards independence
A new levy in the African Union could lead to more financial independence—but who is funding human rights? Many scholars and critics have commented on the African Union’s (AU) financial dependence on external partners. As Oyoo Sungu said: “The AU has the bark of a bulldog, and the bite of a poodle.
International recognition and public opinion towards conflict and violence
Experiments show international recognition of statehood could change popular support for violence in self-determination conflicts. What reduces individual support for the use of violence in self-determination conflicts? Violence against civilians is considered a “grave breach” of international law. Yet, support for the use of violence in self-determination conflicts, including violence against civilians, varies over time.
Valores universales, dinero extranjero: Las organizaciones locales de derechos humanos en el Sur Global
Aunque cuentan con un buen grado de apoyo local, las organizaciones locales de derechos humanos (local human rights organizations, LHRO) en el sur Global siguen dependiendo principalmente de los fondos extranjeros.
Universal values, foreign money: local human rights organizations in the Global South
Despite enjoying a fair bit of local support, local human rights organizations (LHROs) in the Global South are still largely dependent on foreign funds. To better tap into local resource pools, LHROs will have to rethink their funding strategies, and perhaps reconsider some of their activities. How important is international funding to local human rights groups worldwide? Oddly enough, there has been little published research on the topic.
Ordinary people will pay for rights. We asked them
New research suggests that if human rights organizations use evidence-based fundraising strategies, the public will donate. Human rights donors are keen to wean domestic civil society off their chronic foreign aid dependence, and so are local rights organizations. Relying on outsiders for money is problematic because it undermines local participation and accountability, and may hurt NGOs’ legitimacy.
Monetizing the human rights “brand”
Marketing research can help Mexican rights groups monetize their “brand” and boost public donations. About 54% of Mexican adults—over 44 million people—report having donated to the Teletón and other big Mexican charity fundraisers. In 2012, the Teletón, which helps disabled children, raised some $472.5 million Mexican pesos, roughly $35.5 million USD. Yet, only 4% of Mexican adults report having ever given money to a human rights organization (HRO) of any kind, at any point in their lives.
¿Qué se necesita para reducir la dependencia de la ayuda extranjera?
EFEMEX/Sáshenka Gutiérrez Las organizaciones de DDHH en el Sur global muchas veces prefieren recaudar fondos a nivel internacional porque la lejanía de los donantes extranjeros les da autonomía. En la imagen, activistas y familiares de los 43 estudiandes de Ayotzinapa realizan una procesión en honor de los jovenes desaparecidos en 2014, en México.
Why countries should welcome, not fear, foreign funding of NGOs
A new law in Israel seeks to stigmatize NGOs that receive foreign funding—but evidence suggests that countries should welcome rather than fear the foreign funding of NGOs. Photo by Christian Dubovan on Unsplash It would be better if the NGOs could attract sufficient funding at home. But, outside the West, progressive civil society still relies heavily on foreign funding.
A levy in the African Union could be a step towards independence
A new levy in the African Union could lead to more financial independence—but who is funding human rights? A contribution to the openGlobalRights debate on funding for human rights. Français . Many scholars and critics have commented on the African Union’s (AU) financial dependence on external partners. As Oyoo Sungu said: “The AU has the bark of a bulldog, and the bite of a poodle.
Exploring new possibilities beyond foreign funding in Brazil
Brazil has a potentially large philanthropy market, and social media may be key to tapping into this resource. A contribution to the openGlobalRights debate on funding and human rights. Português . Español . For many years, large foreign financiers, such as foundations and multilateral funds, were the only source of funding for Brazilian human rights organizations.
International recognition and public opinion towards conflict and violence
What reduces individual support for the use of violence in self-determination conflicts? Violence against civilians is considered a “grave breach” of international law. Yet, support for the use of violence in self-determination conflicts, including violence against civilians, varies over time. When will ordinary people favor the use of violence over nonviolent methods of resistance?
Following orders: how expectations might reduce human rights abuses
In attempting to reduce human rights abuses, both academics and practitioners focus on two mechanisms that can, at least at times, lead to respect for human rights. First, when social norms change, individuals may come to see themselves as human rights compliers or respecters and may come to view some government practices as improper. This is the logic of appropriateness. Second, legal rules, when enforced, can impose costly sanctions on those who violate human rights.
Discrimination in action: the value of experiments in human rights
Although many rights advocates might be wary of experiments, this form of inquiry can offer valuable insights to our understanding of human rights. Take, for example, the common strategy of discrediting reports of discrimination by saying that the disparate treatment was justified.
Monetizing the human rights “brand”
About 54% of Mexican adults—over 44 million people—report having donated to the Teletón and other big Mexican charity fundraisers. In 2012, the Teletón, which helps disabled children, raised some $472.5 million Mexican pesos, roughly $35.5 million USD. Yet, only 4% of Mexican adults report having ever given money to a human rights organization (HRO) of any kind, at any point in their lives.
Cómo monetizar la “marca” de los derechos humanos
Alrededor del 54 % de los adultos mexicanos —más de 44 millones de personas— afirman que han donado al Teletón y a otras grandes campañas mexicanas de recaudación de fondos con fines benéficos. En 2012, el Teletón, que ayuda a los niños con discapacidades, recaudó alrededor de $472.5 millones de pesos mexicanos, aproximadamente $35.5 millones de dólares estadounidenses.
Ordinary people will pay for rights. We asked them
New research suggests that if human rights organizations use evidence-based fundraising strategies, the public will donate. A contribution to the openGlobalRights debates on funding and public opinion and human rights . Español Human rights donors are keen to wean domestic civil society off their chronic foreign aid dependence, and so are local rights organizations.
La gente común sí está dispuesta a pagar por los derechos. Le preguntamos
Los donantes de derechos humanos están muy interesados en liberar a la sociedad civil nacional de su dependencia crónica de la ayuda extranjera, al igual que lo están las organizaciones locales de derechos. Depender de actores externos para obtener fondos es problemático, ya que socava la rendición de cuentas y la participación a nivel local; además, puede dañar la legitimidad de las ONG.
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