TAI Weekly

TAI Weekly | How Authoritarianism Creeps In While Democracy Sleeps

By TAI (Role at TAI)
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TAI Weekly

Dear readers,

Some encouraging stories this week ranging from the effectiveness of citizen participation to roadmaps for navigating complex energy transitions and a call for investing in civil society as best defense against authoritarianism. 

However, the bigger funding picture for accountability and development writ large remains daunting and Jayati Ghosh offers a warning that, “If wealthier countries refuse to provide for the global common good, the multilateral system as we know it will not survive.”

TAI team

WHAT'S NEW?

France may be a magnet for luxury real estate and illicit wealth, but it's also emerging as a case study in how strong data availability can fuel advocacy and legislative change. This ACDC research explore how civil society groups have used open data to expose loopholes in France’s anti-money laundering system and push for significant reforms.

Damilola Agbalajobi, Mohammed Awal, and Taibat Lawanson examine differences across low-income, middle-income, and wealthy neighborhoods in Accra and Lagos. The piece evidences how residents rely on local political connections to access state power.

Clara Blustein discusses how to communicate about democracy under threat, suggesting that instead of talking about hard-to-grasp concepts like authoritarianism, we can make explicit the connections between the rule of law and experiences of arbitrariness and uncertainty. 

Ireland's energy transition is showcasing the power of citizen engagement. Recent collaborative research documents how public participation processes enable positive outcomes in infrastructure delivery projects. 

Citizen participation is showing real results in India according to Janaagraha reflecting on engagement in city action plans in Assam. Inclusive planning processes are transforming urban governance in the region.

Jason Ward argues that Australia is setting new standards for tax transparency. Researchers have developed a powerful tool aggregating 10 years of corporate tax data, with plans to incorporate their groundbreaking public country-by-country reporting requirements. 

Could an international anti-corruption court help Africa? Dr. Prosper Simbarashe Maguchu's brief makes a persuasive case for how such an institution could complement existing continental anti-corruption efforts.

Europe-funded research, Democratic Literacy and Humour (DELIAH), explores how humor in various forms—from artistic expressions to online forums—can either strengthen or undermine democratic participation across Europe. 

Open Institute África present ten principles for reimagining digital and data infrastructure, prioritizing community needs and democratic values. The framework offers a "soil up" approach that grounds technical systems in local contexts and public interests.

The International Association for Feminist Economics is building a global network of programs teaching or supporting feminist economics at all levels. This initiative aims to facilitate resource sharing, collaboration, and stronger connections across regions and institutions.

The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change has released "Governing in the Age of AI: Reimagining Local Government," a comprehensive examination of how municipalities can harness artificial intelligence while addressing its challenges.

Researchers have developed a holistic methodology for examining complex problems in energy transition solutions. They provide valuable tools for policymakers navigating the technical, social and governance dimensions of climate action.

ESSENTIAL WATCHING

The Trust, Accountability, and Inclusion Collaborative hosted a press briefing on why the upcoming 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (June 30, Sevilla) matters for shaping the global development finance agenda. Speakers from UN DESA, Afrodad and Tax Justice Network Africa discuss the stakes for multilateralism, domestic resource mobilization, and tax justice. Watch the recording (Passcode: km9&2rE9).

FROM OUR MEMBERS

FORD FOUNDATION: In this “Ideas at Ford” conversation, Sinéad Burke (Tilting the Lens), Lindsay Peoples (The Cut, Black in Fashion Council), and Sara Ziff (Model Alliance) join Charles Blow to explore how to build a more equitable, inclusive, and accessible fashion world—from the runway to the workplace.

OPEN SOCIETY FOUNDATIONS: How much do you know about human rights defenders? Test your knowledge and learn more about the crucial role they play in advancing justice and accountability in this short explainer featuring Director of Protecting Rights Defenders, Sharan Srinivas.

MACARTHUR FOUNDATION: Has appointed Bola Olusanya as its new Vice President and Chief Investment Officer. With over 25 years of experience, Olusanya brings a strong record of growing endowments while aligning investments with institutional values. President John Palfrey praised his “strategic leadership, vision, and commitment to advancing the mission.”

ESSENTIAL READING

Keseb has launched The Outlook, a digital global magazine dedicated to democracy champions. The inaugural edition brings together voices from Brazil, Georgia, Germany, Indonesia, Nigeria, and the United States, inviting civil society to meet today's historic challenges with courage and strategic vision.

TOOLS AND TRENDS FOR FUNDERS

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has released comprehensive new guidance on implementing "smart technical assistance" for partner countries. The framework emphasizes locally-led approaches and sustainable capacity building, moving beyond traditional technical assistance models.

A new Germany-based fiscal host named "Interalia" has been launched by Zara Rahman, Paula Grünwald, and Kristina Klein. The initiative aims to empower civil society at the intersection of technology and social justice by handling operational and financial management, allowing organizations to focus on their core missions.

Minouche Shafik offers a provocative vision for a new global development architecture built on humanitarian assistance, shared public goods, multilateral finance, and a positive-sum mindset. The analysis responds to changing global conditions that demand fresh approaches to international development cooperation.

Oak Foundation colleagues make a compelling case that "there's nothing controversial about core funding." Their article details how flexible resources combined with targeted capacity strengthening helps nonprofit organizations thrive in increasingly complex operating environments.

FOCUSED TOPIC OF THE WEEK:

Welcome to the Age of Stealth Authoritarianism or The Hidden Erosion of Democratic Systems

The gradual erosion of democratic norms rarely announces itself with dramatic coups or military takeovers. Modern authoritarianism operates slowly, hollowing out democratic institutions while maintaining some legitimacy. Hungary's recent legislative maneuver exemplifies this pattern. On May 13, 2025, Fidesz representatives introduced a draft law supposedly promoting "transparency of public life," but careful analysis by the European Center for Not-for-Profit Law reveals its true nature: a comprehensive assault on civil society, independent media, and democratic freedoms. Under the guise of protecting national sovereignty, this legislation represents yet another calculated step in Hungary's democratic backsliding.

This is not an isolated incident but part of a global trend. Today's autocrats have developed an extensive toolkit to consolidate power while minimizing international backlash. Among their most effective strategies is reputation laundering. Authoritarian leaders invest significant resources in crafting positive international images that mask repression at home.  A fascinating collection of essays in the Journal of Democracy examines the sophisticated ways dictators clean up their image. These efforts often include hiring Western public relations firms, establishing seemingly legitimate foundations, sponsoring cultural events, and even purchasing influence through strategic investments in foreign democracies. 

Control of money matters, too. The "Fiscal Autocrat's Toolkit" shows the sophisticated manipulation of financial policy to undermine democracy. Moving well beyond simple taxation and expenditure decisions, authoritarian regimes weaponize fiscal controls to systematically dismantle institutional checks and balances. By controlling the flow of money, they can starve opposition groups, reward loyalty, and create economic dependencies that silence critics. Throughout history, this approach has proven remarkably effective at weakening political opposition while maintaining the illusion of procedural democracy.

In the face of these challenges, Andrew Friedman argues convincingly that robust civil society organizations represent our strongest defense against authoritarianism's advance. Grassroots organizing creates networks of democratic resilience that can withstand this coordinated attacks on institutions. When independent media faces pressure, when courts lose independence, and when electoral systems are compromised, civil society remains the crucial counterbalance that can preserve democratic spaces and organize resistance.

The battle between democracy and authoritarianism has entered a new phase. Today's autocrats have learned to work within democratic frameworks, gradually transforming them from within rather than overtly rejecting them. Recognizing these sophisticated strategies represents the first step in developing effective countermeasures to preserve democratic governance for future generations.

HAVE YOUR SAY

In response to devastating funding cuts, civil society actors around the world are leading bold alternatives — from mutual aid and solidarity funds to regional funding mechanisms and new forms of collaboration. The RINGO Project joins the call for funders and policymakers to move beyond performative gestures and commit to genuine partnerships that center local leadership. Sign the open letter today and stand with civil society.

JOBS

CALLS

  • Applications are now open for People Powered’s hands-on capacity-building support to organizations addressing public participation challenges. The programs offer tailored mentorship and accelerator programs to strengthen democratic practice implementation. 

  • WINGS is accepting proposals for the 2025 Lift Up Philanthropy Fund, offering €350,000 for projects in philanthropy ecosystem building, regulatory advocacy, and multi-stakeholder SDG partnerships. Open to members in Africa, Asia, and Latin America & the Caribbean. Apply by June 30, 2025.

  • The Spyware Accountability Initiative has released a Call for Concept Notes, seeking innovative approaches to combating surveillance technology misuse. Deadline June 13, 2025.

  • Take the World Bank's Introduction to Public Expenditure & Financial Accountability course. Learn about the PEFA framework, which assesses a country's public financial management system. Complete the course and pass the final quiz to earn a certificate.

  • The 10th edition of the School for Thinktankers returns to Fundació Bofill in Barcelona in 2026. Submit your early-bird application.

CALENDAR

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