Pakistan’s ‘second democratic transition’?
A former Pakistani Supreme Court chief justice has been chosen as the caretaker prime minister until late July, when Pakistan is to hold general elections, the New York Times reports:… Read more »
Category: Democratic Transitions
To ‘mature as a democracy’, Malaysia’s ‘sick-minded’ corruption must end
Malaysia’s new government on Monday established a special task force to probe possible criminal offences relating to country’s 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) sovereign wealth fund, the FT reports: The task… Read more »
Armenia needs ‘institutional backbone’ to sustain democratic breakthrough
Converting Armenia ’s ‘Velvet Revolution’ into a sustainable democratic transition requires establishing an “’institutional backbone” to ensure there is no reversion to corrupt, autocratic governance, says Daron Acemoglu, a Turkish born… Read more »
Tunisia could be regional model or inspiration, but….
Tunisia has continued to make progress on democracy, including a Constitution guaranteeing fundamental rights, but there is still a lot to do, says a UN expert. “Tunisia still faces numerous… Read more »
The Awakening of Muslim Democracy: a New Political Islam
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is one of a crop of present-day political leaders who value the respectability an ostensibly democratic election confers but don’t want to risk actually losing the vote, the… Read more »
Armenia’s disputed move toward democracy
Armenia plans to change its system of governance in a bid to improve democracy — but critics claim it’s all smoke and mirrors. In early April, just as Yerevan prepares… Read more »
Has U.S. lost its ‘power of inspiration’ as a model of democracy?
The violent collapse of the Arab Spring has damaged the cause of liberal politics not just in the Middle East, but around the world. Strongman leaders are back in fashion… Read more »
‘New power’: a case for democratic optimism?
The argument that democracy is in long-term decline stems from two major causes, notes Thomas Kent, the President of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL): The first is the tapestry… Read more »
Rise of Islamism in Malaysia and Indonesia jeopardizing democratic gains?
The rise of Islamism in Malaysia and Indonesia could have severe consequences for the two states’ societies, political systems, and overall stability, says a leading analyst. Malaysia’s prime minister, Najib… Read more »
The next Arab Spring ‘simply a matter of time’?
Autocratic allies in the Middle East, such as Saudi Arabia, have reportedly been told that the U.S. will not “lecture” them on democracy and human rights. U.S. attempts to explicitly… Read more »