Pauline Jones, director of the International Institute and professor of political science, co-authored an article for The Washington Post titled, "30 years after the Berlin Wall fell, much of Eastern Europe is dismantling democracy and free markets. What happened?"

Along with Anna Grzymala-Busse, Jones writes about the democratic erosion currently seen in countries such as Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Poland. Russia's deepening influence and the rise of illiberal populists are signs of the democratic backslide. Read the full article here.

Pauline Jones specializes in institutional origin, change, and impact in a wide variety of settings: newly emergent states with multiple competing subnational identities, states transitioning from planned to market economies, states rich in natural resources, and states with predominantly Muslim populations. She founded and directs the Digital Islamic Studies Curriculum. Her most recent book is Islam, Society, and Politics in Central Asia (University of Pittsburgh Press, 2016).

Anna Grzymala-Busse is Michelle and Kevin Douglas Professor of International Studies at Stanford University. Her research focuses on political parties, state development and transformation, informal political institutions, religion and politics, and post-communist politics. She is the former director of the Weiser Center for Emerging Democracies and Weiser Center for Europe & Eurasia at the University of Michigan.