EU Law Final Democracy

Hybrid Regime/(il)liberal Democracy/Competitive Authoritarianism

states with formal democratic structures but weakened freedoms - combines democratic + autocratic rule - meeting democratic requirements in a way that is not democratic (Hungary) 

Nations in Transit

annual democracy assessment - do countries still meet Copenhagen criteria?

Consolidated Democracy/Semi-consolidated Democracy 

member states gang up to say “you’re wrong” to another member state 

Political Capture 

Politicians influence media, judiciary, or bureaucracy for partisan goals (Hungary)  

Media Freedom/Pluralism

independence + diversity of media - low media pluralism is present in hybrid regimes

Judicial Independence/Activism

courts independant from politics, sometimes actively protecting rights - political controversies + source of declining trust?