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Democracy

Slovakia in the European Union 10 Years On: Promises Fulfilled?

August 12, 2014

Rick Zednik, EURActiv CEO

The spring of 2004 was momentous in the history of independent Slovakia. On May 1 of that year, the country joined the European Union. Coming as it did less than five weeks after Slovakia joined NATO, this marked the culmination of a long process that was highly uncertain in the 1990′s. A decade later, we can now reflect on what enabled Slovakia to join these European and trans-Atlantic structures, and how the subsequent integration has fared.

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Slovakia in the European Union 10 Years On: Promises Fulfilled?2019-05-01T14:20:27-07:00

Hungary Today: Examining Solutions to Intractable Problems

December 8, 2011

Deborah Cornelius, historian of East Central Europe

Why has the popularly elected government of this small nation surrounded by Austria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia and Croatia received so much criticism?  Why has Slovakia challenged a recently enacted law allowing ethnic Hungarians living in regions formerly part of Hungary to apply for Hungarian citizenship, despite the existence of similar laws in other countries?  Why is Hungary’s new Constitution, its first permanent written constitution since 1949, being questioned? And just how stable and prosperous is this fascinating country in the heart of Central Europe? (more…)

Hungary Today: Examining Solutions to Intractable Problems2019-05-01T14:20:28-07:00

Rebuilding Iraq: What worked? What Didn’t? What Next?

November 17, 2011

Richard S.D. Hawkins, led an embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team of 40 subject matter experts in the rural and conflict laden eastern and southern zones of Baghdad Province from February 2008-April 2009

Central to the U.S. effort to help Iraq rebuild were the Provincial Reconstruction Teams, civilian-led groups of experts in governance, economic development, urban planning, basic services, agriculture, elections, women’s and family issues, and other specialties, some of which were embedded with US military units.  With the U.S. Government scheduled to withdraw all troops from Iraq by December 2011, the Iraq reconstruction effort has come under intense scrutiny. What was it like to live in rural Iraq trying to create jobs, help widows, rebuild water and sewer systems, and foster reconciliation among tribal enemies? Do the results justify the many millions spent? Can or should the U.S. seek continuing benefit from its investment of money, time and talent? What have we learned about trying to provide development assistance in the midst of conflict? (more…)

Rebuilding Iraq: What worked? What Didn’t? What Next?2019-05-01T14:20:28-07:00

Thailand: Prosperous but Divided

December 6, 2010

William Itoh, U.S. Ambassador to Thailand (1995-1999) and currently currently Director of Washington International Programs for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

In May 2010, Bangkok erupted in flames.  Some 91 Thai were killed, over 2,000 were  injured and 400 were arrested in a military crackdown resulting in  emergency rule after a nine week siege by the Red Shirts, a populist political movement consisting largely of farmers and factory workers from the country’s rural areas. They supported the ousted and exiled prime minister and former telecommunications magnate Thaksin Shinawatra. Although the opposition Yellow Shirts representing the Bangkok establishment and the Thai military regained control the government, large anti-government protests erupted in September, suggesting potential trouble ahead, especially since the country’s revered 82 year old King has been in the hospital for over a year.  Despite the turmoil and uncertainty, the country’s GDP rose 7.2{fe681502a50b39155a3ca75d1ea8a550fe0ee8275f6f89ef466f508ac0f80879} last year.

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Thailand: Prosperous but Divided2019-05-01T14:20:30-07:00

India, Pakistan and Democracy: A Puzzle Solved?

November 1, 2010

Dr Phillip Oldenburg, currently adjunct Associate Professor of Political Science and Research Scholar, South Asian Institute, Columbia University, has also taught at Johns Hopkins University and the University of Texas, Austin

India and Pakistan emerged at independence in 1947 with similar political systems: a British colonial state apparatus and elected assemblies as precursors to parliaments.  Since then, India has functioned democratically, while Pakistan has found itself under direct or indirect military rule for most of its existence.  Why did they take such different paths?  The factors are many, with religion not the most influential.  What’s more, Americans may be surprised to learn that Pakistan’s oft-renewed alliance with the U.S. has actually enhanced the power of the military vis-à-vis elected representatives.  In India, meanwhile, even under Indira Gandhi’s rather autocratic Emergency rule, politicians have always had the upper hand and democracy has progressively expanded its base. (more…)

India, Pakistan and Democracy: A Puzzle Solved?2019-05-01T14:20:30-07:00
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