Development Blogs.com

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The latest developments in the controversial Afghan election bring new urgency to the question: what do Afghans think about democracy? CIPE’s Feature Service article, based on a recent study conducted by the Afghan Research and Evaluation Unit (AREU), sheds light on this timely issue. The study indicates that there is a decreasing level of acceptance of the current democratization process for a number of reasons. Key among them is widespread disillusionment with the Afghan democracy in its current shape due to an expected but lacking improvement in rule of law and economic development, combined with deteriorating security situation. At the same time, AREU’s interviews reveal that there is a clear and widespread desire among ordinary Afghans for a public role in the political process....

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To many in Iran this was supposed to be an election of firsts: the first time candidates engaged in vigorous debates on television, the first time a candidate’s wife became such a dynamic voice in a campaign, and what many were hoping - the first time an incumbent President was elected out of office. During the two-week campaign season, there was a buzz and excitement about the elections not seen in years. The urban elite had grown disillusioned with Iranian politics after witnessing the limits of change under reformist President Mohammad Khatami, who ruled from 1997 until 2005. Voter malaise set in as they came to view the presidential elections as only a nominal change in leadership with power ultimately in the hands of the clerical establishment.   However, the widespread...

In a region where autocracy is the rule, Kuwait is a remarkable exception, with a powerful and truculent elected parliament that determines the ruling emir’s salary and is the state’s sole source of legislation. With women gaining the right to vote and run for office only two years ago, the country continued down the path toward change and democracy by electing four women to the parliament for the first time in the country’s history. An election that saw Islamic fundamentalist groups lose ground presented an opportunity for two US-educated professors, a former cabinet minister, and an economist to win seats in the Kuwaiti parliament, breaking a glass ceiling that is hoped will be heard in other Gulf countries. Despite being overshadowed by its dynamic monarchial neighbors such as...

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Join Al Gore and Power Vote for a live webcast: 8:30 pm (EST) TONIGHT The buzz around massive climate voter turnout this election is bigger than ever, and we’re beyond excited for you to join us tonight at 8:30pm Eastern for our webcast with Al Gore to turn it up yet another notch. http://www.powervote.org/GoreWebcast Vice President Gore will speak about the role of young people in RePowering America and why it’s so important that we get as many climate voters as possible to turn out on November 4th at our country’s most important battle ground: the ballot box. The webcast feed will go live at 8pm Eastern - 30 minutes before Mr. Gore begins speaking - so that if you are hosting a viewing party you will be able to set up and test your equipment. Again, the web...

Hamid Karzai’s presidency seems to be failing, and some polls show that his support is flagging. Karzai is perceived to be ineffective in reducing corruption weak on the Taliban, and making moves that question his democratic credentials. Several Afghans I spoke to in Kabul believe that the Taliban attack against a military parade on April 27 marked a turning point in public opinion against Karzai as he made the culturally unacceptable decision to flee the scene rather than lead his security forces. The result was a chaotic scene and there is much talk here in Kabul about firing those high officials in charge of security. The Taliban have claimed that they purposely spared Karzai’s life, and this would appear to be true as a sniper could have easily killed the president from the...