A Weak State with a ‘Strong State’ Tradition: The Case of Turkey
Turkey is more democratic and more liberal than in past decades. But a state stuck between the mosque and the barrack cannot be called a strong state.
Why Isn’t the U.S. Selling Iran iPhones?
American sanctions against exporting smartphones and computers to Iran are not only violating civil liberties but also common sense.
An Election Short on Hope: Mexico 2012
Mexico’s recent Presidential election returned the PRI back to power twelve years after the party was ousted. Numerous problems continue to plague the country. This election won’t change that.
Civil Society and the Zimbabwean Crisis
Underlying the debates about civil society, democratic change and agrarian transformation in Zimbabwe has been a deathly silence on whether civil society in fact exists in post-2000 Zimbabwe.
South Sudan: Seeking a Formula for Peaceful Coexistence and Sustainable Development
How well South Sudan is able to realize its full economic potential will be determined by what the government does during the next few years in respect to institutional reforms and state reconstruction. Hence, the “right” institutional environment is vital for the country.
Egypt Goes to the Polls
The high expectations that accompanied Hosni Mubarak’s resignation last year have not come to pass. Egypt’s current Presidential election will be critical in determining whether Cairo’s future will bring democracy or merely democratic window-dressing.
NATO and Afghanistan: Lessons Learned?
At present, the NATO mission in Afghanistan is a failure. Though the Taliban regime was overthrown, violence continues to plague daily life across the country.
Turkey Today: A “Leviathan” or a “Law-seeker”?
The profound social and political changes Turkey has undergone have made it a law seeking nation. Ankara is now on the path to becoming a full fledged democracy under the rule of law.
Review – Democracy Promotion and Conflict-based Reconstruction
Matthew A. Hill’s survey of America’s democratisation missions takes the reader on a journey through the horrors of post-conflict states, the cut-and-thrust of policy debate and the ever evolving idea of democracy. It will prove a valuable resource to any student or researcher seeking an understanding of the current situations in Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq.
China’s New Authoritarianism
China’s inability or refusal to democratize has been a constant source of political consternation for the West. Yet, China is becoming a democracy of sorts, albeit laced with an authoritarian edge.
