Kenya in Crisis
An in-depth look at the background of the Kenyan crisis, disputes over the election, and the potential for re-establishing peace in the near future.
The Orange Revolution
Some doubted that the opposition could pull off the so-called “Orange Revolution” in the Ukraine. But with the elections complete and the dust clearing, pro-democracy reformer Viktor Yushchenko sits in the presidency. Here Suleymanov explores what went right for the opposition, what went wrong for the establishment, and why Russian influence just wasn’t strong enough.
The Politics and Marketing of Transition : Macedonian Parliamentary Elections 2002
JULIJANA MLADENOVSKA analyses the Macedonian elections of 2002, and concludes that few parties went to the people with concrete messages. It would be better for the parties in Macedonia to attempt to meet the real needs of the voters. The Macedonian citizen, regardless of his ethnic background and his/her fears related to the violent conflicts and an uncertain future, is growing to be a serious critic of the groups and individuals leading Macedonian political life. It is time for a more responsible and honest political leadership.
Nationalism in Question
This articles questions the definition of nationalism and the social constructs that redefine it today. The author argues that nationalism is commonly understood in a dualistic dichotomy – either positive or negative. This is partly a problem of the different contextual circumstances within which nationalism occurs, and partly a response to the challenges of understanding such a complex and dynamic phenomenon. Three dualisms are discussed: West vs the rest; civic vs ethnic; and liberal vs illiberal nationalism. This paper argues that these popular analytical simplifications map hide the wider positive/negative poles and also mask the exclusionary dimension.
Not expecting Serious Trouble
The UN, through its mission in the DRC, has embarked in its most ambitious electoral-support endeavor yet. Rafael Velasquez our South Africa correspondent had the opportunity to meet up with General Mujahid Alam, Head of the Pretoria Liaison Office of the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), to discuss the ongoing preparations for the upcoming elections in an exclusive interview.
Electoral Violence in Nigeria: Implications for Security, Peace and Development
Election violence has remained a feature on Nigeria’s political landscape, and a review of the problem suggests a number of reasons. This article identifies poverty, a culture of impunity, weak penalties, a lack of effective governance, and small arms proliferation, amongst others. It also looks at the effects of instability and violence in Nigerian society and proffers a number of solutions ranging from sustainable development, security sector and electoral reforms, and anti-corruption measures.
The Sorry State of British Democracy
Patricia Rich gives a first hand account of the spiritless British elections, which seem all the more bland in comparison to the vibrant 2009 democratic election in El Salvador, which Rich participated in as an international observer.
Honduras: The Forgotten Coup
Contributing columnist Gustavo Fuchs details the lack of media coverage of violent repression against the popular resistance movement in post-coup Honduras, contrasting the underreported Honduran realities with the media’s recent obsession with popular demonstrations in the Middle East. Fuchs highlights the Honduran government’s repressive response to teachers’ strikes and impunity towards campesino murders – virtually absent in the headlines. Selective media bias in support of hypocritical Western agendas has left the Honduras resistance to fend for itself while the Middle East gets all the attention.
Democracy if necessary but not necessarily democracy
Democracy if necessary but not necessarily democracy Author: Gerald Caplan Originally Published at Peace and Conflict Monitor on: 03/02/2015 “We have a profound disagreement with the Cuban government when we talk about democracy and human rights,” President Obama’s representative said in Havana the other week. Except it’s not true. In fact, the two governments […]
The Argentine Transition to Democracy: Half-Steps, Breakdown and Revival
Miranda Ronghi offers deep analysis into the precedent-setting truth and reconciliation process as experienced in Argentina’s decades-long transition to democracy following a violently repressive military dictatorship.