With few exceptions, decision makers and opinion formers in Europe viewed the Trump presidency with increasing apprehension and disquiet. Their concern became alarm when the president refused to accept his election defeat and incited a mob of supporters to storm Congress in what was a violent attack on democracy.

The sharing of power between popes and kings was a longstanding feature of Western European politics. Professor Bruce Bueno de Mesquita delves into this history to present a novel argument for why Western countries are more likely to experience prosperity and democracy.

Allegations of nepotism against Indonesian president Joko Widodo and his son Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who is running for vice president in 2024, is undermining Indonesia’s democracy and threatening to create a political dynasty.