#minsinformation

The turn away from democracy and toward antidemocratic alternatives in the region will have global implications. The leaders and parties in question are openly demonstrating their rejection of democratic norms, which often comes hand in hand with the adoption and promotion of “authoritarian counter-norms.”

That such steps are taken by elected leaders claiming to act in the national interest—or according to an ideological agenda—can sometimes obscure the underlying reality: the ultimate goal of these practices, from institutional capture to the scapegoating of vulnerable groups, is to keep ruling parties and elites in power indefinitely. If antidemocratic norms are allowed to spread, they will legitimize a broad range of abuses and make life more difficult for millions of people, not just in autocracies but also in the gray zone between democracy and dictatorship.

The challenge faced by democracy’s defenders is significant, but not insurmountable. As antidemocratic leaders grow more ambitious and strategic, it is time for democrats to go beyond simply recognizing the threat. Rather than watching with concern on the sidelines, they need to take the field.

Best practices and lessons learned should be shared among democracies, just as autocrats have been exchanging their ideas. Democratic states also need to coordinate their foreign policies with a focus on core principles, not just security concerns or geopolitical competition. In ailing democracies and hybrid regimes, attention should be concentrated on keeping the door open to progress and buttressing the institutions that facilitate change, primarily the electoral framework and the media. And in authoritarian regimes that are ramping up oppression, democracy advocates will need to enhance monitoring and assist victims of persecution, while preparing to respond to any future opportunity for change.

Ultimately, however, democracies must deliver the benefits of free self-government to their people. Citizens will have to be presented with tangible results to restore trust in the system and build support for the shared mission of defending democratic ideals in an increasingly hostile world.

Can’t say I’ve noticed any fact-checking articles on any of the misinformation posts I’ve seen on Facebook, nor have I seen any posts about the facts of coronavirus. With most communication on social media being done through memes, it’s going to take a lot more than a few minor sweeps over posts to put a stop to the spread of fake news.

Abortion/Feelings

Expert: Jacqueline, MSSW - 5/23/2006

Question How do you feel emotionally, mentally and physically after having an abortion? Answer Hi, Bailey!   Thanks for your question!   This is a difficult one for me to answer since I've never had an abortion, but I have friends who have. I can tell you their feelings as well as some research findings.   As for research: Statistics show that 93% of women regret their abortions. Women are 9 times more likely to kill themselves after an abortion. Women who abort often suffer from post-traumatic stress, nightmares and depression. Eating disorders, alcoholism, and drug abuse are more common in post-abortive women. Also, 47% of all abortions are REPEATS meaning that having one abortion often leads to having another because women try to replace the child they lost and realize that circumstances haven't changed. Promiscuity and the self-esteem issues that accompany it are also prominent in women who have aborted.   My friends tell me that the feelings of guilt, grief and shame almost never go away. Many feel like they chose themselves over their babies, that they were selfish and let their babies down and feel like a murderer. Many of them report having nightmares of killing babies, of bloody babies crying, or just wake up to a crying baby that's not there. Those that aborted to keep/please a boyfriend feel like they weren't strong enough to protect their children and feel used and hurt by their significant others who often leave them anyway or whom they leave because they are angry at them or associate them with losing their baby (70% of romantic relationships end within just a few months of the abortion). Often, the woman's circumstances that caused her to seek an abortion change and she's hurt desperately that she'll never be able to have her baby back, and that she chose a permanent solution for a temporary problem. There are some women that claim that they have no regrets, but studies show that women don't seek help for their post-abortion emotional problems till 7-10 years (and many more abortions) later. So these women that aren't regretful now might just not see the abortion as contributing to their problems just yet.   Physically, several things happen to your body after and abortion. The cervix is forceably dialated (pried open with metal instruments) which weakens it and often hurts your ability to carrying future babies to term. There's bleeding for several weeks afterwards and nothing is allowed in the vagina (no sex, not even tampons) until you're healed. Your body that sent out a set of hormones to change your body for childbirth is traumatized by the unatural loss of the child (most miscarriages come from a lack of these hormones, which is less traumatic), so there are hormones that go crazy, mutating cells (like breast cells to turn them into milk-producing cells) that never get the last of the hormones and stay mutated. This makes them cancer prone. Scar tissue can prevent future pregnancies also.   I'm a counselor and I'd love to talk to you more if you need someone to talk to. My email address is [email protected]. Anything you say will be kept confidential. Take care of yourself, Bailey. Let me know if I can help. -Jacqueline Harvey, MSSW 

Jacqueline, MSSW

Expertise

I can answer questions regarding abortion and provide advice based on my credentials (I have a Master`s Degree in Social Work). I can answer questions about procedures, what can be expected, complications (physical and emotional), and alternatives. Many abortion providers do not disclose many important aspects of the abortion choice. I can answer any and all questions, freely and anonymously.

Experience