Victoria Murillo, a political scientist with an extensive academic background, including a Ph.D. from Harvard and professorships at Yale and Columbia, discusses the disconnect between citizens and politicians, highlighting dissatisfaction with political solutions to social transformations. She analyzes the emotional factors influencing voter behavior, the challenges to democracy, and the role of outsiders in politics. Murillo also comments on the Venezuelan crisis, suggesting a regime rupture could facilitate a transition, and examines the impact of technological advances and identity politics on elections, using the United States and Argentina as examples.

Traditional media globally faces the challenge of transitioning to the digital ecosystem while preserving economic sustainability. The European Parliament's recent vote on copyright law reform aims to adapt Western traditions of content creator protection to the digital age. The law, celebrated by many, has also been met with skepticism regarding its effectiveness. It sets a global precedent for protecting journalistic enterprises against tech giants like Google and Facebook, who will now have to pay for third-party content use. The reform is seen as a victory for European newspapers and a step towards fair revenue distribution. However, Google has threatened not to comply, and there are concerns about the law's impact on smaller platforms and potential censorship. The Argentine press awaits similar legislation, viewing the EU's stance as a model for ensuring fair compensation for journalistic work in the digital environment.

The article discusses the global issue of economic inequality and its threat to political and social stability, particularly its role in the crisis of democracies. It highlights the growing wealth concentration in the hands of a few and the resulting loss of confidence in the ruling class. The text explores the relationship between economic inequality and reduced democratic credibility, the rise of anti-system movements, and the exacerbation of nationalism. It references the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum and an Oxfam International report that emphasizes the extreme inequality in the world. Various experts, including Federico Steinberg and Branko Milanovic, provide insights into the causes of inequality, such as disproportionate executive compensation, the inherent tendencies of capitalism, and the impact of globalization and technological change. The article also addresses the political implications of inequality, the erosion of political equality, and the need for new social contracts to reconcile capitalism with democracy. It concludes with a call for bold and imaginative solutions to create inclusive economies and minimize social conflicts, xenophobia, and authoritarianism.

The coronavirus pandemic has led to the rapid expansion of digital surveillance worldwide, raising alarms about the potential for mass surveillance societies. Asian countries have deployed digital control devices to monitor social distancing and track virus spread, leveraging big data. Western democracies are also developing their own tools, with some regions like Santa Fe, Argentina, enforcing quarantine violators to download tracking apps. Tech giants Apple and Google have partnered to create a contact tracing platform. Experts warn of the risks to individual freedoms and the potential for these emergency measures to become permanent, affecting privacy rights. Organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International emphasize the need for human rights-compliant technologies. The pandemic may strengthen tech companies' influence, with concerns about 'epistemic inequality' and the need for institutional frameworks to protect democracy against surveillance capitalism.

The spread of COVID-19 has exacerbated pre-existing global trends such as weakened multilateralism, strengthened nationalism, and a crisis in global governance. The pandemic has highlighted the inability of world leaders to provide a collective response to a global problem. The G20's proactive stance during the 2008 financial crisis contrasts with today's fragmented and nationalistic reactions. The World Health Organization plays a crucial role, but its authority needs reinforcement. China is positioning itself as a global leader, filling the void left by a retreating United States. The pandemic has also intensified the distrust between the US and China, with both engaging in a narrative war. Populist leaders' initial denial of the pandemic's severity has led to negative consequences, and the crisis has revealed the shortcomings of liberal democracy and the need for strong international institutions and cooperation.

Meera Selva, director of journalism fellowships at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, discusses the challenges facing journalism today, including the industry crisis, digital era changes, and declining media trust. She highlights the role of social media in enabling leaders to bypass traditional media, contributing to a credibility crisis. Selva emphasizes the importance of independent journalism in a democratic society and warns against conflating news with opinion. She also addresses the impact of political polarization and the dominance of platforms like Facebook and Google on journalism. The article underscores the need for journalists to maintain professional independence and for society to value and support quality journalism.

Universities, having been central to higher education for nearly a millennium, now face the challenges of a rapidly changing world driven by technological advancements. The article discusses the need for universities to adapt their pedagogical processes, promote relevant competencies for the future workforce, and integrate more closely with society and the labor market. It highlights the shift towards more holistic education that combines hard knowledge with soft skills, the rise of STEM-focused curricula, and the increasing relevance of digital fluency and autonomous learning. The piece also touches on the potential of artificial intelligence in education and the enduring importance of the human element in teaching. The role of universities is evolving, with new educational actors emerging, offering shorter, more focused courses and accessible digital platforms.

The upcoming 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall is met with less celebration as it symbolizes unfulfilled promises of a democratic and liberal world order. The initial optimism has been replaced by a somber reality marked by isolationism, nationalism, and increased inequality. The rise of neopopulist leaderships and far-right parties like Germany's AfD reflects the disillusionment and frustration of the population. The transition from communism to capitalism in Eastern Europe is scrutinized for its rapid privatization and economic disparities. The article suggests that the liberal democratic model must offer clear alternatives to populism to address the real problems of the population and prevent growing anger and frustration.

Silvio Waisbord, a Doctor in Sociology and professor at George Washington University, reflects on the evolution of political campaigns from the pre-digital era to the present, emphasizing the continued importance of traditional face-to-face politics alongside new technologies like social media and big data. He critiques the digital optimism that surrounded tech companies, particularly Facebook, for their role in misinformation and the challenges journalism faces in the new media ecosystem. Waisbord also discusses the economic challenges for the media industry, the impact of social media on political communication, and the need for clear legal frameworks to address issues of hate speech and misinformation online.

Philip Pettit, known as the father of contemporary republicanism, warns against the misunderstanding of democracy by autocratic leaders who oppose constitutionalism. During his visit to Buenos Aires, where he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Buenos Aires, Pettit criticized leaders like Donald Trump and Boris Johnson for reducing democracy to the mere will of the people, ignoring constitutional checks and balances. He discussed the dangers of populism and the importance of a robust democracy that includes public deliberation and active citizenship. Pettit also commented on Brexit, criticizing David Cameron's handling of the referendum and Boris Johnson's rhetoric. He emphasized the need for independent institutions like a central bank and judiciary to ensure true democratic control. Pettit advocates for a neorepublican vision that balances theory, rhetoric, and practice to support a legal framework that allows for impartial governance.