Monica O’Hearn Overall, 2017 was a poor year for safeguarding the rights of civil society organizations (CSOs). Several countries passed draconian legislation designed to attack and stifle civil society by delegitimizing CSOs.Restrictions on civil society, which represents the collective interests of citizens, ultimately leads to a poor enabling environment for citizen engagement, one where the... Continue Reading →
The Renewal of South African Democracy
Photo: South African President Cyril Ramophosa (L) shakes former President Jacob Zuma's (R) hand at a farewell reception for President Zuma. Photo credit: South African Government By Kwadwo A. Boateng Jacob Zuma’s presidency has ended, leaving behind a devastated economy. South Africans are eager to have a transparent government, and anti-corruption reform. The country now... Continue Reading →
The Polls Just Closed in Sierra Leone. Here’s What You Need to Know.
Today, Sierra Leoneans headed to the polls for the fifth time since the country returned to multiparty elections in the 1990s... One way or another, the country is about to get a new president.
Trump’s New Sanctions Policy: Russia First
By Aleksandra Zaytseva On Monday, January 29th, two big announcements came out of Washington. First, the U.S. Treasury Department released a “name and shame” list of 210 Russian officials and business people, as had been mandated by a law passed earlier this year. Second, an official from the White House promptly announced that the administration... Continue Reading →
Supporting Democracy and Human Rights in an Age of Authoritarian Challenges and Democratic Setbacks
We surely live in an age that poses both old and new challenges when it comes to US official and non-governmental support for human rights and democracy.
Why China is not “the biggest and the most successful democracy”
By Yufei Zhang China's New Ambition In November 2017, a major mouthpiece of the Chinese Communist Party published an op-ed, inciting fierce debate about the political system in China. "China is the biggest and the most successful democracy in the world," Han Zhen, the head of a top-ranked university in China, stated in that article. "China's achievements have already broken up... Continue Reading →
Democracy & Governance Holiday Book List
By Jennifer R. Dresden It’s that time of year again and we here at the Democracy & Governance Program know how busy things can get in December. For those of you last-minute shoppers still unsure of what to get loved ones in the democracy and governance field for the holidays, we’ve got your back. For... Continue Reading →
Experience Abroad: The Impact of Brexit on Northern Ireland
By Allison Schlossberg The outcome of the referendum in the United Kingdom in June 2016 sent shockwaves through the entire global community. Even though multiple world leaders like Barack Obama and Angela Merkel encouraged British voters to remain within the European Union, ultimately the majority of voters decided to leave the organization. I could not... Continue Reading →
Oh Snap! Why did Japan and Britain’s 2017 Elections End Up so Differently?
By Grayson Lewis The optics were sub-optimal for British Prime Minister Theresa May as she took to the podium in front of Number 10 Downing Street on a characteristically chilly and rainy London April morning. The wind tossed up her hitherto immaculate bob-cut hair, as passing cars honked loudly over her speech. More than the... Continue Reading →
