Democracy News -

Displaced on Africa Day

yudhvir — Mon, 26 May 2008 12:15:03 +0200

Barbarism Returns

yudhvir — Mon, 19 May 2008 11:52:03 +0200

South Africans awoke this morning to incredibly disturbing pictures reminiscent of the dark days of apartheid brutality. The xenophobic attacks has reached a crisis point as 12 immigrants have been killed so far.

In a country supposedly proud of its democratic system and with a constitution built on the respect of human rights, little has been done to stem the violence. It seems that history has not taught us much, if burning people alive is the way to deal with an immigrant problem. More worryingly, further negligence on the abuses in Zimbabwe by the South African government gets one asking whether we are heading down a slippery slope.

Say What?

yudhvir — Tue, 13 May 2008 11:35:17 +0200

"For the first time in Bolivian history, the people will not only have
the right to choose but also to decide if the authorities are failing
them,"

Its not often we hear these words from politicians (take note Mr Mugabe) about the their own performance. But it seems that Bolivia's ruling party is living up to this stange concept called "accountability" and holding a referendum on whether regional governments should stay in power. Full story here

Another interesting read on the Bolivia's situation since the socialist re-revolution details the ups and downs of Morales' term thus far.

The Overview: 08.05.08

john — Thu, 08 May 2008 06:26:00 +0200

In today's roundup: China, USA, Russia, Cuba, Ireland, EU and Zimbabwe. Photo of a water tank in Cuba from the Generation Y blog.

Pangea Day: Jehane Noujaim

john — Wed, 07 May 2008 07:21:56 +0200

Here's Jehane Noujaim, at the 2006 TED Conference, explaining her wish, which became Pangea Day. It's long (25 mins), but about as inspiring as inspiring gets. Pangea Day takes place around the world this Saturday, May 10, and it's free, wherever you are.

Pangea Day: John Hodgman

john — Tue, 06 May 2008 07:21:08 +0200

You may know John Hodgman as the PC from Apple's PC vs. Mac commercials, or from his appearances on the Daily Show, or from his work as editor of the New York Times Magazine's Funny Pages. Add Pangea Day supporter to the list.

The Overview: 06.05.08

john — Tue, 06 May 2008 06:49:43 +0200

Today's roundup includes China, Turkmenistan, Gabon, Bolivia, Iran, and Kenya. Photo of demonstrators in La Paz, Bolivia, by Flickr user GafferBee.

Pangea Day: May 10

john — Mon, 05 May 2008 06:57:47 +0200

A handful of the people involved with Why Democracy have been part of the team working on Pangea Day, a project with a beautiful ambition: using film to bring the world closer together.

Pangea Day takes place on May 10, and chances are very good that there's a screening happening near you - follow this link for screening events around the world. Throughout the week we'll put up new video clips as we count down to the main event.

The Overview: 02.05.08

john — Fri, 02 May 2008 05:28:19 +0200

In today's roundup: Burma, Bolivia, China, Kosovo, USA, Zimbabwe, and Haiti and the global food crisis. Photograph of children in Haiti by Flickr user sagabardon.

Egyptian Cyber-Activism

john — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 03:26:27 +0200

The Guardian's Jack Shenker writes about the use of online technologies in the struggle against Egypt's repressive regime.

The Overview: 29.04.08

john — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 09:19:13 +0200

In today's roundup: China, Tibet, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Iran, Nauru and the USA. Photo of pro-Tibet demonstration by Flickr user mejules .

Mugabe's Zim(bob)we is one for the ages

yudhvir — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 15:49:19 +0200

When the sun rose on Zimbabwe this morning, the festivities and celebrations by all Zimbabweans should have started with grand splendour as the country marked its 28th year of independence from colonialism. Economic growth and cultural diversity should have been boasted about as Zimbabwe headed into its third decade of independence as an African economic powerhouse and democratic model for the rest of the continent.

The Overview: 16.04.08

john — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 04:55:17 +0200

In today's roundup: Zimbabwe, Egypt, Italy, Burma, Australia and China.

Photo of Pangsau, Burma, by Flickr user Artisteinconnu-back.

The Overview: 14.04.08

john — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 03:07:25 +0200

In today's roundup: Kenya, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Nepal, China and Italy.

The Overview: 11.04.08

john — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 05:48:39 +0200

In today's roundup: Zimbabwe, Uganda, China and the IOC, Burma, Nepal, Slovakia and the EU. Image of Zimbabwe abuse from Sokwanele's Flickr stream.

P Sainath's Insightful Take on Western Democracy

yudhvir — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 10:38:04 +0200

The Overview: 09.04.08

john — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 08:23:14 +0200

Asia: The Olympic torch relay moves to San Francisco, yet another venue for a growing protest against China's human rights abuses, treatment of Tibet and complicity in Darfur. This probably isn't exactly what China was hoping for. BBC also offers a point-counterpoint. In South Korea, turnout is low at parliamentary elections, in spite of freebies being used to lure voters to the polls. Some worry that Maoists in Nepal have been intimidating the population as it prepares to elect an assembly on Thursday that will create a new constitution.

Africa: While Zimbabwe waits for election results, opposition party MDC says supporters of Robert Mugabe, including police and militia, are now attacking its members. Sokwanele has a first-person account from a volunteer who helped the MDC during the election. ANC leader Jacob Zuma slammed the delay in releasing results, while current President Thabo Mbeki was criticized for his stance. Kenya's opposition party has walked away from talks over forming a cabinet, prompting riots and fear of a return to the post-election chaos that gripped the country in January. Turnout at municipal elections in Egypt - which are rigged, as usual - has been low.

Caribbean: High food prices prompt mobs to attack the presidential palace in Haiti.

Stumbled upon...

yudhvir — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:19:02 +0200

As we, your trusted democracy bloggers, scour the internet for democracy related articles/news/ stories etc, we often come across pieces of text/video/ multimedia that keep us amused and inspired.
One video that has got a fair amount of attention (and well worth listening to) is a speech made by US Senator, Barack Obama on race issues in America.

Another (less serious) find is a website dedicated to democracy games. In a simple and fun way, issues surrounding citizenship and responsibility are explored in games such as “Councillor Quest II” and “Captain Campaign”. Enjoy!

The Overview: 07.04.08

john — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 02:48:43 +0200

Africa: Curiously, with official results still not released, Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party is demanding a recount. If this odd development does not indicate Mugabe's weakening hold, then perhaps the increasingly firm resistance by the MDC party -- including this letter by leader Morgan Tsvangirai to the Guardian -- does. My allusion to a cabinet agreement in Kenya last week proved premature, although the power-sharing leaders insist they're still working on it. In Egypt, long-running (and largely unreported in Western media) protests and demonstrations by striking textile workers led to police clashes.

Asia: More riots in Tibet, while thousands turned out to jeer the Olympic torch as it made the rounds of London (picture from Flickr user dantesinferno).

Further reading: The Guardian documents changes in Cuba, and in the NY Times Magazine, a journalist returns to Liberia.

The Overview: 04.04.08

john — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 06:51:25 +0200

Africa: Uncertainty reigns in Zimbabwe, where nobody really knows how many seats any party has won, officially or otherwise five days after the election. Nobody knows what Robert Mugabe is planning, either: some reports have him stepping down if he is guaranteed immunity, but raids on opposition offices yesterday might be an ominous sign. Uncertainty, at least, is better than violence and chaos. In Kenya, the power-sharing government has agreed on a cabinet, which the Standard labels "bloated" with 40 members. Again, bloating is surely better than violence and chaos.

Europe: In more violence and chaos news, nobody is very excited about the top Turkish court's decision to hear a case about banning the ruling party, president and prime minister because they allegedly threaten the country's secular foundations.

Asia: China's plans for a shiny, happy Olympics that avoided all of those pesky human rights concerns are falling apart long before the opening ceremonies. First various Tibet-related protests, and now public figures are withdrawing from the torch relay, including the BBC's top journalist. See also this piece from the NY Times Magazine.