TIME TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP OR BECOME

AN IPSA MEMBER FOR 2024

IPSA has launched its new membership campaign for 2024! We invite you to renew your membership or join our global political science community for 2024. Your commitment allows IPSA to pursue its mission to support the development of political science worldwide, particularly in the Global South. Last year, IPSA revised its individual membership fee structure to more accurately reflect the diverse financial realities of our global membership. 

1. The Freedom on the Net 2023 Report by Freedom House reveals a continued decline in global Internet freedom for the 13th consecutive year, with an increase in attacks on free expression around the world. Regarding the introduction and fast-growing use of artificial intelligence (AI), the data highlights the threat of generative AI supercharging online disinformation campaigns. More than 47 governments have been using AI to manipulate online discussions, and over the past year, it was widely utilized in at least 16 countries to influence public debate and smear opponents. Authoritarian governments have drawn on AI chatbot technology to enhance and refine their online censorship. Legal frameworks in at least 21 countries require or encourage digital platforms to use machine learning to remove certain types of speech, such as political, social, or religious speech (Thematic Networks on the IPSAPortal).

2. The annual State of Global Giving by U.S. Foundations provides insight into how American foundations expand their global reach to support initiatives aimed at improving health outcomes, addressing climate change, providing access to education, promoting human rights, and taking action on various other priorities. The comparison between the years 2002 and 2019 demonstrates the significant influence of various foundations, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The associated risks are emphasized by a commentary in the Social Innovation Review. The latest edition of Global Giving provides insights into the manner in which foundations distribute their investments and respond to evolving global challenges, as well as their perspectives and priorities. These insights were gathered through interviews with a selection of global funders (Special Collections on the IPSAPortal).

3. The Pew Research Center’s latest analysis highlights the importance of Americans' attitudes toward foreign policy scenarios ahead of the upcoming elections. About half of Republicans say the U.S. is providing too much aid to Ukraine, while bipartisan concern about violence against Jews coexists alongside a partisan gap in concerns over violence against Muslims. Majorities of both Republicans and Republican-leaning independents (73%) and Democrats and Democratic leaners (62%) say Hamas is chiefly responsible for the conflict. But Democrats (50%) are more than twice as likely as Republicans (21%) to say the Israeli government bears a considerable share of responsibility. Making the situation even more critical in the run-up to the elections, the public view is divided in terms of Israel’s military operation against Hamas, and the Biden administration’s response to the Israel-Hamas war is generally viewed more negatively than positively (Research Institutes on the IPSAPortal).