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.
No Nukes, No Proliferation
Nuclear weapons could not proliferate if they did not exist. Because they
do, they will. The policy implication of this logic is that the best guarantee
of nuclear nonproliferation is nuclear disarmament through a nuclear weapons
convention that bans the possession, acquisition, testing and use of nuclear weapons,
by everyone. This would solve the problem of nonproliferation as well as
disarmament. The focus on nonproliferation to the neglect of disarmament
ensures that we get neither. If we want nonproliferation, therefore, we must
prepare for disarmament.
Security and Economic Development: Masculinized Goals for Post-Conflict Reconstruction
The end of an armed conflict is the starting moment of a new period that creates space for transforming institutions, structures and relationships within society. In such historical moments the actors of peace negotiations and peace building processes have the window of chance and responsibility to create a new society based on gender equality. However, in what Cynthia Enloe calls“the morning after”, when the guns are silent, the persistent militarization and promotion of masculinity continue in postwar societies, in both the public and private sphere. This paper will attempt to track such political processes and identify the tools and factors contributing to militarization and masculinization in post conflict societies. Moreover, this paper will highlight reasons for failing to consolidate women’s gains deriving from their war-time experience and to promote gender equality in peace building processes.
How likely is conflict over the Nile waters?
Ferdinand Katendeko finds that pre-independence agreements by the then dominant Colonial power over the control of the vital Nile waters may lead to further conflict in conflict-torn Africa.
Those pesky moral standardsPoems for Peace
Those pesky moral standards Author: Biljana Vankovska Originally Published at Peace and Conflict Monitor on: 07/12/2005 Category: Diaries According to a wise man, morality consists of drawing a line at some point. Indeed, this is a personal attempt to talk publicly on drawing one particular line, i.e. to share with you my own moral dilemma […]
Rescuing Afghanistan from Terror: Recommendations for Recovery
The undetermined question: where will Afghanistan go next? Taking a step forward – Al Santoli provides a solution oriented analysis of the insurgency in Afghanistan. Treading through a mud thick of strife, other options must be considered to overcome the increasing number of attacks on civilians and foreign parties and the ever-growing opium industry.
Switzerland’s
Switzerland’s Author: Lucy Dubochet Originally Published at Peace and Conflict Monitor on: 10/06/2008 Category: Analysis II I. Description In 2006 and 2007 a few Muslim communities had requested building permits to add a minaret to their mosques. In many cases, although local administrations had considered that there was no legal basis to reject these demands, […]
The Illusion of Democracy in Latin America
In light of the excesses, corruption, “emptiness” and elitism of certain “exemplary” Latin American democracies in the 20th Century, Tara Ruttenberg reflects on the emergence of leftist, populist, participatory democracies in the region, celebrates their successes, and warns against the possibility of backsliding into authoritarianism.