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The Struggle for Democracy: A Global Perspective
Democracy, the ideal of government by the people, for the people, has been a long and arduous journey, marked by both triumphs and setbacks. This blog post delves into the ongoing struggle for democracy across the globe, examining the historical context, current challenges, and the persistent hope for a more just and equitable world. We'll explore various obstacles, from entrenched authoritarianism to insidious forms of societal decay, and examine the strategies employed by activists and citizens to secure and safeguard democratic principles. Prepare to be enlightened, provoked, and ultimately, inspired by the enduring human spirit fighting for freedom.
H2: A Historical Overview: From Ancient Athens to Modern Movements
The concept of democracy isn't new. Ancient Greece, specifically Athens, is often cited as the birthplace of democracy, albeit a limited one. However, the path to widespread democratic governance has been far from linear. Centuries of monarchies, empires, and dictatorships have punctuated history, demonstrating the fragility of democratic ideals and the constant need for vigilance. The American and French Revolutions, while imperfect in their execution, represent crucial milestones in the global struggle, showcasing the power of popular uprisings against oppressive regimes. The 20th century witnessed the rise and fall of totalitarian regimes, alongside the expansion of democratic systems in many parts of the world. This historical context provides essential groundwork for understanding the contemporary challenges facing democracy.
H2: The Contemporary Challenges to Democracy
The 21st century presents a unique set of obstacles to democratic ideals. These challenges are multifaceted and interconnected, requiring a nuanced understanding to effectively address them.
#### H3: The Rise of Authoritarianism and Populism
The global rise of authoritarian and populist leaders poses a significant threat to democratic institutions. These leaders often exploit social divisions, undermine the rule of law, and restrict freedom of speech and assembly. Their rhetoric frequently relies on nationalism and scapegoating, effectively eroding public trust in established democratic processes. This erosion fosters an environment where democratic norms are easily disregarded, paving the way for further authoritarian consolidation of power.
#### H3: The Impact of Disinformation and Misinformation
The proliferation of misinformation and disinformation through social media and other online platforms has significantly destabilized democratic processes. The spread of false narratives and propaganda can manipulate public opinion, influence elections, and erode trust in legitimate news sources. This challenge demands critical media literacy skills and the development of effective strategies to combat the spread of false information.
#### H3: Economic Inequality and Social Division
Significant economic inequality and widening social divisions fuel resentment and create fertile ground for populist and authoritarian movements. When a large segment of the population feels marginalized and unheard, they are more susceptible to extremist ideologies and leaders who promise radical change, often at the expense of democratic norms. Addressing this requires tackling systemic economic issues and fostering a sense of inclusivity and shared prosperity.
#### H3: Threats to Free and Fair Elections
Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of any functioning democracy. However, these are increasingly vulnerable to manipulation and interference, ranging from voter suppression tactics to outright electoral fraud. Cybersecurity threats and foreign interference also play a role in compromising the integrity of electoral processes, demanding robust safeguards and international cooperation to ensure fair and transparent elections.
H2: Strategies for Strengthening Democracy
Despite these formidable challenges, the struggle for democracy continues, fueled by unwavering commitment to fundamental human rights and freedoms. Several strategies are crucial for safeguarding and strengthening democratic institutions.
#### H3: Promoting Civic Education and Engagement
Empowering citizens with the knowledge and skills to participate effectively in democratic processes is vital. Civic education programs should equip individuals with critical thinking skills, media literacy, and an understanding of their rights and responsibilities. Promoting voter turnout and encouraging active participation in community affairs are also essential components.
#### H3: Strengthening Independent Institutions
Independent judiciary, a free press, and robust oversight bodies are crucial checks on government power. Protecting these institutions from political interference is paramount to safeguarding democratic values. Ensuring their funding and operational independence is essential for their effectiveness.
#### H3: Fostering International Cooperation
International cooperation is crucial in addressing transnational threats to democracy, such as disinformation campaigns and foreign interference in elections. Sharing best practices, coordinating efforts to combat disinformation, and supporting democratic movements globally are vital steps.
H2: Conclusion
The struggle for democracy is an ongoing, global endeavor. While challenges are significant, the unwavering commitment of citizens and activists worldwide offers hope for a more just and equitable future. By addressing the systemic issues, promoting civic engagement, and fostering international cooperation, we can strengthen democratic institutions and safeguard the freedoms that underpin a thriving society. The fight is far from over, but the spirit of democracy remains a powerful force for positive change.
FAQs
1. What is the biggest threat to democracy today? While multiple threats exist, the confluence of authoritarianism, disinformation, and economic inequality presents a particularly dangerous combination.
2. How can I contribute to the struggle for democracy? Engage in civic activities, vote in elections, support organizations promoting democratic values, and actively combat misinformation.
3. Is democracy always the best form of government? While not perfect, democracy provides a framework for accountability and citizen participation that surpasses other systems in protecting fundamental rights and freedoms.
4. What role does technology play in the struggle for democracy? Technology is a double-edged sword. It can be used to promote democratic participation and spread information, but also to spread misinformation and undermine democratic processes.
5. What are some examples of successful democratic movements? The Arab Spring (despite its mixed outcomes), the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the South African anti-apartheid movement all demonstrate the power of sustained citizen action.
| the struggle for democracy: Struggle for Democracy Edward S. Greenberg, Benjamin I. Page, 1998-12 |
| the struggle for democracy: Struggle for Democracy Edward S. Greenberg, Gordon Scott Fulcher Professor of Decision Making in the Department of Political Science Benjamin I Page, 2010-12-22 Books à la Carte are unbound, three-hole-punch versions of the textbook. This lower cost option is easy to transport and comes with same access code or media that would be packaged with the bound book. This Package Contains: MyPoliSciLab with E-Book Student Access Code Card and The Struggle for Democracy, Books a la Carte Edition Updated in a new 10th edition, The Struggle for Democracy challenges students to think critically about American government and to evaluate the quality of democracy in America within a unique framework that offers a holistic view of our system. Its critical thinking approach to politics, features, and narrative are designed to teach students to look closely and question logically about the American political process. |
| the struggle for democracy: The Struggle for Democracy Edward S. Greenberg, Benjamin I. Page, 2002 Greenberg, Edward S. and Page, Benjamin I., Struggle for Democracy, The: CourseCompass Edition, 5th Edition *\ This edition seamlessly integrates the online course management capabilities and web activities of Greenberg's CourseCompass website with the book. The Greenberg CourseCompass website features pre-loaded, text-specific content, including two types of highly engaging web activities: Web Explorations and LongmanParticipate.com exercises. Icons in the margins of the textbook direct readers to these activities on the Greenberg CourseCompass website, tying the book and the website together. For those interested in American Government. |
| the struggle for democracy: The Struggle for Democracy in Mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong Andreas Fulda, 2020 The question at the heart of this book is to what extent have political activists in mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong made progress in their quest to liberalise and democratise their respective polities. The book compares and contrasts the political development in the three regions from the early 1970s. |
| the struggle for democracy: Kenya Shadrack W. Nasong'o, Godwin R. Murunga, 2013-07-18 The path towards democracy in Kenya has been long and often tortuous. Though it has been trumpeted as a goal for decades, democratic government has never been fully realised, largely as a result of the authoritarian excesses of the Kenyatta, Moi and Kibaki regimes. This uniquely comprehensive study of Kenya's political trajectory shows how the struggle for democracy has been waged in civil society, through opposition parties, and amongst traditionally marginalised groups like women and the young. It also considers the remaining impediments to democratisation, in the form of a powerful police force and damaging structural adjustment policies. Thus, the authors argue, democratisation in Kenya is a laborious and non-linear process. Kenyans' recent electoral successes, the book concludes, have empowered them and reinvigorated the prospects for democracy, heralding a more autonomous and peaceful twenty-first century. |
| the struggle for democracy: The Struggle of Democracy Against Terrorism Emanuel Gross, 2006 Examines the legal and moral complexities democracies face when dealing with terrorism. This book is useful to students and teachers of law, political science, and philosophy, as well as to citizens and activists concerned with the impact of terrorism on civil liberties. |
| the struggle for democracy: The Struggle for Democracy Edward S. Greenberg, Benjamin J. Page, 2002 |
| the struggle for democracy: Politics, Power and the Struggle for Democracy in South-East Europe Karen Dawisha, Bruce Parrott, 1997-06-13 Edited by two of the world's leading analysts of post communist politics, this book brings together distinguished specialists on Bosnia-Hercegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Slovenia, Serbia/Montenegro, Albania, Bulgaria, and Romania. The authors analyse the challenge of building democracy in the countries of the former Yugoslavia riven by conflict, and in neighboring states. They focus on oppositional activity, political cultures that often favour strong presidentialism, the role of nationalism, and basic socioeconomic trends. Karen Dawisha and Bruce Parrott provide theoretical and comparative chapters on post communist political development across the region. This book will provide students and scholars with detailed analysis by leading authorities, plus the latest research data on recent political and economic developments in each country. |
| the struggle for democracy: Liberation Technology Larry Diamond, Marc F. Plattner, 2012-07-30 Liberation Technology brings together cutting-edge scholarship from scholars and practitioners at the forefront of this burgeoning field of study. An introductory section defines the debate with a foundational piece on liberation technology and is then followed by essays discussing the popular dichotomy of liberation'' versus control with regard to the Internet and the sociopolitical dimensions of such controls. Additional chapters delve into the cases of individual countries: China, Egypt, Iran, and Tunisia. |
| the struggle for democracy: The Struggle for Democratic Politics in the Dominican Republic Jonathan Hartlyn, 1998 Over the past several decades, the Dominican Republic has experienced striking political stagnation in spite of dramatic socioeconomic transformations. In this work, Jonathan Hartlyn offers a new explanation for the country's political evolution, based on |
| the struggle for democracy: Citizen Louise W. Knight, 2008-09-15 Jane Addams was the first American woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Now Citizen, Louise W. Knight's masterful biography, reveals Addams's early development as a political activist and social philosopher. In this book we observe a powerful mind grappling with the radical ideas of her age, most notably the ever-changing meanings of democracy. Citizen covers the first half of Addams's life, from 1860 to 1899. Knight recounts how Addams, a child of a wealthy family in rural northern Illinois, longed for a life of larger purpose. She broadened her horizons through education, reading, and travel, and, after receiving an inheritance upon her father's death, moved to Chicago in 1889 to co-found Hull House, the city's first settlement house. Citizen shows vividly what the settlement house actually was—a neighborhood center for education and social gatherings—and describes how Addams learned of the abject working conditions in American factories, the unchecked power wielded by employers, the impact of corrupt local politics on city services, and the intolerable limits placed on women by their lack of voting rights. These experiences, Knight makes clear, transformed Addams. Always a believer in democracy as an abstraction, Addams came to understand that this national ideal was also a life philosophy and a mandate for civic activism by all. As her story unfolds, Knight astutely captures the enigmatic Addams's compassionate personality as well as her flawed human side. Written in a strong narrative voice, Citizen is an insightful portrait of the formative years of a great American leader. “Knight’s decision to focus on Addams’s early years is a stroke of genius. We know a great deal about Jane Addams the public figure. We know relatively little about how she made the transition from the 19th century to the 20th. In Knight’s book, Jane Addams comes to life. . . . Citizen is written neither to make money nor to gain academic tenure; it is a gift, meant to enlighten and improve. Jane Addams would have understood.”—Alan Wolfe, New York Times Book Review “My only complaint about the book is that there wasn’t more of it. . . . Knight honors Addams as an American original.”—Kathleen Dalton, Chicago Tribune |
| the struggle for democracy: The Struggle for Democracy in Chile Paul W. Drake, Ivan Jaksic, 1995-01-01 This revised edition of The Struggle for Democracy in Chile should prove even more useful to the student of Latin American history and politics than the original. It updates important background information on the evolution of Chile?s military dictatorship in the 1970s and its erosion in the 1980s. Brian Loveman, an authority on contemporary Chilean politics, offers a comprehensive examination of the transition to civilian government in Chile from 1990 to 1994 in a substantial new chapter. Loveman chronicles the rise of the Concertaci¢n coalition, the strained relations between General Pinochet?s military and President Alwyn?s civilian government, and the roles of the National Women?s Service (SERNAM), the Catholic Church, and the indigenous peoples of Chile. All eleven essays by the leading authorities on the Pinochet regime from the earlier edition have been retained. The bibliography has been updated and the index improved. ø The Struggle for Democracy in Chile remains the first and foremost book on the transition over the last twenty-five years from dictatorship to democracy in Chile. |
| the struggle for democracy: Media, Communication and the Struggle for Democratic Change Katrin Voltmer, Christian Christensen, Irene Neverla, Nicole Stremlau, Barbara Thomass, Nebojša Vladisavljević, Herman Wasserman, 2020-09-06 This book investigates the role of media and communication in processes of democratization in different political and cultural contexts. Struggles for democratic change are periods of intense contest over the transformation of citizenship and the reconfiguration of political power. These democratization conflicts are played out within an increasingly complex media ecology where traditional modes of communication merge with new digital networks, thus bringing about multiple platforms for journalists and political actors to promote and contest competing definitions of reality. The volume draws on extensive case study research in South Africa, Kenya, Egypt and Serbia to highlight the ambivalent role of the media as force for democratic change, citizen empowerment, and accountability, as well as driver of polarization, radicalization and manipulation. |
| the struggle for democracy: The Struggle for Development and Democracy Alessandro Olsaretti, 2021-12-13 In The Struggle for Development and Democracy Alessandro Olsaretti proposes a humanist social science as a first step to overcome the flaws of neoliberalism, and to recover a balanced approach that is needed in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. |
| the struggle for democracy: Education And The Struggle For Democracy Carr, Wilfred, Hartnett, Anthony, 1996-03-01 During the past decade there has been a series of radical changes to the educational system of England and Wales. This book argues that any serious study of these changes has to engage with complex questions about the role of education in a modern liberal democracy. Were these educational changes informed by the needs and aspirations of a democratic society? To what extent will they promote democratic values and ideals? These questions can only be adequately addressed by making explicit the political ideas and the underlying philosophical principles that have together shaped the English educational system. To this end, the book provides a selective history of English education which exposes the connections between decisive periods of educational change and the intellectual and political climate in which it occurred. It also connects the educational policies of the 1980s and 90s to the political ideas of the New Right in order to show how they are part of a broader political strategy aimed at reversing the democratic advances achieved through the intellectual and political struggles of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The book proposes that a democratic educational vision can only effectively be advanced by renewing the 'struggle for democracy' - the historical struggle to create forms of education which will empower all citizens to participate in an open, pluralistic and democratic society. |
| the struggle for democracy: The Struggle for Democracy Edward S. Greenberg, 1999 An undergraduate text in American government and politics, asking students to critically assess the quality of democracy in the US against an evaluative standard provided by the authors, and presenting a simple analytical framework to help readers understand how the elements of the political system interact. Covers traditional topics, as well as structural factors such as the free enterprise system and the nature of US society. Includes opening vignettes, comparative materials, key terms, and features on political struggles and film and politics, plus appendices of historical documents. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR |
| the struggle for democracy: The Continuing Struggle For Democracy In Latin America Howard J. Wiarda, 2019-06-18 This integrated collection of original essays evaluates and assesses whether democracy is viable in Latin America and, if so, how and in what form. The authors examine the significance, for both Latin America and the United States, of the dominance of authoritarian political systems in most Latin American countries; explore the implications of asse |
| the struggle for democracy: The Struggle for Democracy Christopher Meckstroth, 2015 Revolutionaries, counter-revolutionaries, and reformers the world over appeal to democracy to justify their actions. But when political factions compete over the right to act in the people's name, who is to decide? Although the problem is as old as the great revolutions of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, events from the Arab Spring to secession referendums suggest that today it is hardly any closer to being solved. This book defends a new theory of democratic legitimacy and change that provides an answer. Christopher Meckstroth shows why familiar views that identify democracy with timeless principles or institutions fall into paradox when asked to make sense of democratic founding and change. Solving the problem, he argues, requires shifting focus to the historical conditions under which citizens work out what it will mean to govern themselves in a democratic way. The only way of sorting out disputes without faith in progress is to show, in Socratic fashion, that some parties' claims to speak for the people cannot hold up even on their own terms. Meckstroth builds his argument on provocative and closely-argued interpretations of Plato, Kant, and Hegel, suggesting that familiar views of them as foundationalist metaphysicians misunderstand their debt to a method of radical doubt pioneered by Socrates. Recovering this tradition of antifoundational argument requires rethinking the place of German idealism in the history of political thought and opens new directions for contemporary democratic theory. The historical and Socratic theory of democracy the book defends makes possible an entirely new way of approaching struggles over contested notions of progress, popular sovereignty, political judgment and democratic change. |
| the struggle for democracy: Democracy in Africa Nic Cheeseman, 2015-05-12 This book provides the first comprehensive overview of the history of democracy in Africa and explains why the continent's democratic experiments have so often failed, as well as how they could succeed. Nic Cheeseman grapples with some of the most important questions facing Africa and democracy today, including whether international actors should try and promote democracy abroad, how to design political systems that manage ethnic diversity, and why democratic governments often make bad policy decisions. Beginning in the colonial period with the introduction of multi-party elections and ending in 2013 with the collapse of democracy in Mali and South Sudan, the book describes the rise of authoritarian states in the 1970s; the attempts of trade unions and some religious groups to check the abuse of power in the 1980s; the remarkable return of multiparty politics in the 1990s; and finally, the tragic tendency for elections to exacerbate corruption and violence. |
| the struggle for democracy: Repression And Resistance Edelberto Torres-rivas, 2019-07-11 This book summarizes the multiple origins of the crisis that Central Americans are suffering today. It focuses on an analysis of the revolutionary popular movements as a form of social movement capable of joining together a diversity of class-based groups. |
| the struggle for democracy: The Struggle for Democracy in Germany Eugene Newton Anderson, 1965 |
| the struggle for democracy: The Struggle for Democracy Patrick Watson, Benjamin R. Barber, 1988 The complete history of democracy. |
| the struggle for democracy: Fighting for Democracy Christopher S. Parker, 2009-08-17 How military service led black veterans to join the civil rights struggle Fighting for Democracy shows how the experiences of African American soldiers during World War II and the Korean War influenced many of them to challenge white supremacy in the South when they returned home. Focusing on the motivations of individual black veterans, this groundbreaking book explores the relationship between military service and political activism. Christopher Parker draws on unique sources of evidence, including interviews and survey data, to illustrate how and why black servicemen who fought for their country in wartime returned to America prepared to fight for their own equality. Parker discusses the history of African American military service and how the wartime experiences of black veterans inspired them to contest Jim Crow. Black veterans gained courage and confidence by fighting their nation's enemies on the battlefield and racism in the ranks. Viewing their military service as patriotic sacrifice in the defense of democracy, these veterans returned home with the determination and commitment to pursue equality and social reform in the South. Just as they had risked their lives to protect democratic rights while abroad, they risked their lives to demand those same rights on the domestic front. Providing a sophisticated understanding of how war abroad impacts efforts for social change at home, Fighting for Democracy recovers a vital story about black veterans and demonstrates their distinct contributions to the American political landscape. |
| the struggle for democracy: Defining Democracy Daniel O. Prosterman, 2013-02-14 Defining Democracy reveals the history of a little-known experiment in urban democracy begun in New York City during the Great Depression and abolished amid the early Cold War. For a decade, New Yorkers utilized a new voting system that produced the most diverse legislatures in the city's history and challenged the American two-party structure. Daniel O. Prosterman examines struggles over electoral reform in New York City to clarify our understanding of democracy's evolution in the United States and the world. |
| the struggle for democracy: Decentring the West Professor Viatcheslav Morozov, 2013-04-28 We live in a world where democracy is almost universally accepted as the only legitimate form of government but what makes a society democratic remains far from clear. Liberal democratic values are both relativized by the self-description of many non-democratic regimes as 'local' or 'culturally specific' versions of democracy, and undermined by the automatic labelling as 'democratic' of all norms and institutions that are modelled on western states. Decentring the West: The Idea of Democracy and the Struggle for Hegemony aims to demonstrate the urgent need to revisit the foundations of the global democratic consensus. By examining the views of democracy that exist in the countries on the semi-periphery of the world system such as Russia, Turkey, Bolivia, Venezuela, Brazil and China, as well as within the core (Estonia, Denmark and Sweden) the authors emphasize the truly universal significance of democracy, also showing the value of approaching this universality in a critical manner, as a consequence of the hegemonic position of the West in global politics. By juxtaposing, critically re-evaluating and combining poststructuralist hegemony theory and postcolonial studies this book demonstrates a new way to think about democracy as a truly international phenomenon. It thus contributes groundbreaking, thought-provoking insights to the conceptual and normative aspects of this vital debate. |
| the struggle for democracy: Latin America's Struggle for Democracy Larry Diamond, Marc F. Plattner, Diego Abente Brun, 2008-10-06 2009 Outstanding Academic Title, Choice Almost thirty years have passed since Latin America joined democracy’s global “third wave,” and not a single government has reverted to what was once the most common form of authoritarianism: military rule. Behind this laudable record, however, lurk problems that are numerous and deep, ranging from an ominous resurgence of antidemocratic and economically irresponsible populism to the fragility and unreliability of key democratic institutions. A new addition to the Journal of Democracy series, this volume ponders both the successes and the difficulties that color Latin American politics today. The book brings together recent articles from the journal and adds new and updated material. In these essays, a distinguished roster of contributors thoughtfully examines democratic problems and prospects from the Rio Grande to Tierra del Fuego. The first section assesses regionwide trends, including the forces behind the much-discussed political “turn to the left,” the travails of the presidential form of government, the challenges of integrating newly mobilized indigenous populations into politics, the need for major reform in labor markets, and the implications of rising populism for democratic institutions and governance. The second section features important case studies of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. The final section surveys Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Contributors: Jorge G. Castañeda, Matthew R. Cleary, Catherine M. Conaghan, Javier Corrales, Consuelo Cruz, Lucía Dammert, Daniel P. Erikson, Luis Estrada, Eric Farnsworth, Steven Levitsky, Scott Mainwaring, Cynthia McClintock, Marco A. Morales, María Victoria Murillo, Michael Penfold, Alejandro Poiré, Eduardo Posada-Carbó, Christopher Sabatini, Hector E. Schamis, Andreas Schedler, Mitchell A. Seligson, Lourdes Sola, Arturo Valenzuela, Donna Lee Van Cott |
| the struggle for democracy: Narrating Democracy in Myanmar Tamas Wells, 2021-04-30 This book analyses what Myanmar's struggle for democracy has signified to Burmese activists and democratic leaders, and to their international allies. In doing so, it explores how understanding contested meanings of democracy helps make sense of the country's tortuous path since Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy won historic elections in 2015. Using Burmese and English language sources, Narrating Democracy in Myanmar reveals how the country's ongoing struggles for democracy exist not only in opposition to Burmese military elites, but also within networks of local activists and democratic leaders, and international aid workers. |
| the struggle for democracy: Organizing Civil Society Philip D. Oxhorn, 2010-11-01 |
| the struggle for democracy: Recapturing Democracy Mark Purcell, 2008-03-25 Recapturing Democracy is a short yet synoptic introduction to urban democracy in our era of political neoliberalism and economic globalization. Combining an original argument with a number of case studies, Mark Purcell explores the condition of democracy in contemporary Western cities. Whereas many scholars focus on what Purcell calls procedural democracy – i.e., electoral politics and access to it – he instead assesses substantive democracy. By this he means the people’s ability to have some say over issues of social justice, material well being, and economic equality. Neoliberalism, which advocates a diminished role for the state and increasing power for mobile capital, has diminished substantive democracy in recent times, he argues. He looks at case studies where this has occurred and at others that show how neoliberalism can be resisted in the name of substantive democracy. Ultimately, he utilizes Henri Lefebvre’s notion of the right to the city, which encompasses substantive as well as procedural democracy for ordinary urban citizens. |
| the struggle for democracy: Popular Struggle and Democracy in Scandinavia Flemming Mikkelsen, Knut Kjeldstadli, Stefan Nyzell, 2017-10-16 This book focuses on popular struggles in Denmark, Norway and Sweden from 1700-2015, and how popular struggle in the form of hunger riots, tax rebellions, petition drives, strikes, demonstrations, public meetings and social movements paved the way for the introduction and development of civil liberties and political rights. The author portrays social and political mass mobilization of ordinary people as vital to the construction of democracy, and an essential condition for the formation of the Scandinavian welfare states. Popular Struggle and Democracy in Scandinavia shows the transnational connections between Denmark, Norway and Sweden and between Scandinavia and the rest of Europe, and also contains a comparison of popular struggle in Scandinavia seen in a wider European perspective. The book will be of interest to social scientists, historians and students and researchers with an interest in popular struggles in Scandinavia. |
| the struggle for democracy: The Struggle for Egypt Steven A. Cook, 2011-10-07 The recent revolution in Egypt has shaken the Arab world to its roots. The most populous Arab country and the historical center of Arab intellectual life, Egypt is a lynchpin of the US's Middle East strategy, receiving more aid than any nation except Israel. This is not the first time that the world and has turned its gaze to Egypt, however. A half century ago, Egypt under Nasser became the putative leader of the Arab world and a beacon for all developing nations. Yet in the decades prior to the 2011 revolution, it was ruled over by a sclerotic regime plagued by nepotism and corruption. During that time, its economy declined into near shambles, a severely overpopulated Cairo fell into disrepair, and it produced scores of violent Islamic extremists such as Ayman al-Zawahiri and Mohammed Atta. In this new and updated paperback edition of The Struggle for Egypt, Steven Cook--a Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations--explains how this parlous state of affairs came to be, why the revolution occurred, and where Egypt is headed now. A sweeping account of Egypt in the modern era, it incisively chronicles all of the nation's central historical episodes: the decline of British rule, the rise of Nasser and his quest to become a pan-Arab leader, Egypt's decision to make peace with Israel and ally with the United States, the assassination of Sadat, the emergence of the Muslim Brotherhood, and--finally--the demonstrations that convulsed Tahrir Square and overthrew an entrenched regime. And for the paperback edition, Cook has updated the book to include coverage of the recent political events in Egypt, including the election of the Muslim Brotherhood's Mohamed Morsi as President. Throughout Egypt's history, there has been an intense debate to define what Egypt is, what it stands for, and its relation to the world. Egyptians now have an opportunity to finally answer these questions. Doing so in a way that appeals to the vast majority of Egyptians, Cook notes, will be difficult but ultimately necessary if Egypt is to become an economically dynamic and politically vibrant society. |
| the struggle for democracy: A Kingdom in Crisis Andrew MacGregor Marshall, 2015-11-15 'Perhaps the best introduction yet to the roots of Thailand's present political impasse. A brilliant book.' Simon Long, The Economist Struggling to emerge from a despotic past, and convulsed by an intractable conflict that will determine its future, Thailand stands at a defining moment in its history. Scores have been killed on the streets of Bangkok. Freedom of speech is routinely denied. Democracy appears increasingly distant. And many Thais fear that the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej is expected to unleash even greater instability. Yet in spite of the impact of the crisis, and the extraordinary importance of the royal succession, they have never been comprehensively analysed – until now. Breaking Thailand's draconian lèse majesté law, Andrew MacGregor Marshall is one of the only journalists covering contemporary Thailand to tell the whole story. Marshall provides a comprehensive explanation that for the first time makes sense of the crisis, revealing the unacknowledged succession conflict that has become entangled with the struggle for democracy in Thailand. |
| the struggle for democracy: Toward Democracy James T. Kloppenberg, 2016 James T. Kloppenberg presents the history of democracy from the perspective of those who established its principles, offering a fresh look at how ideas about representative government, suffrage, and the principles of self-rule and ideals have shifted over time and place. |
| the struggle for democracy: Outrage Bertil Lintner, 1990 |
| the struggle for democracy: Waves of Democracy John Markoff, 1996-02-07 Waves of Democracy looks at two centuries of history of democratization as a series of multicontinental episodes in which social movements and elite power holders in many countries converged to reorganize political systems. Democracy is defined and redefined in these episodes. John Markoff examines several ways in which governing elites of national states mimic each other and ways in which social movements and elites interact. There is no other book written for undergraduates that looks at democracy over such a broad sweep of time and across so many countries and cultures. |
| the struggle for democracy: The Chiapas Rebellion Neil Harvey, 1998 Through a pathbreaking study of the Zapatista rebellion of 1994, looks at the complexities of the political movement for Chiapas's indigenous peoples. |
| the struggle for democracy: The Spirit of Democracy Larry Diamond, 2008-01-08 One of America's preeminent experts on democracy charts the future prospects for freedom around the world in the aftermath of Iraq and deepening authoritarianism Over three decades, the world was transformed. In 1974, nearly three-quarters of all countries were dictatorships; today, more than half are democracies. Yet recent efforts to promote democracy have stumbled, and many democratic governments are faltering. In this bold and sweeping vision for advancing freedom around the world, social scientist Larry Diamond examines how and why democracy progresses. He demonstrates that the desire for democracy runs deep, even in very poor countries, and that seemingly entrenched regimes like Iran and China could become democracies within a generation. He also dissects the causes of the democratic recession in critical states, including the crime-infested oligarchy in Russia and the strong-armed populism of Venezuela. Diamond cautions that arrogance and inconsistency have undermined America's aspirations to promote democracy. To spur a renewed democratic boom, he urges vigorous support of good governance—the rule of law, security, protection of individual rights, and shared economic prosperity—and free civic organizations. Only then will the spirit of democracy be secured. |
| the struggle for democracy: The Struggle for Democracy in Germany Gabriel Abraham Almond, Eugene Newton Anderson, 1965 |
| the struggle for democracy: Fragile Democracy James L. Leloudis, Robert R. Korstad, 2020-08-06 America is at war with itself over the right to vote, or, more precisely, over the question of who gets to exercise that right and under what circumstances. Conservatives speak in ominous tones of voter fraud so widespread that it threatens public trust in elected government. Progressives counter that fraud is rare and that calls for reforms such as voter ID are part of a campaign to shrink the electorate and exclude some citizens from the political life of the nation. North Carolina is a battleground for this debate, and its history can help us understand why--a century and a half after ratification of the Fifteenth Amendment--we remain a nation divided over the right to vote. In Fragile Democracy, James L. Leloudis and Robert R. Korstad tell the story of race and voting rights, from the end of the Civil War until the present day. They show that battles over the franchise have played out through cycles of emancipatory politics and conservative retrenchment. When race has been used as an instrument of exclusion from political life, the result has been a society in which vast numbers of Americans are denied the elements of meaningful freedom: a good job, a good education, good health, and a good home. That history points to the need for a bold new vision of what democracy looks like. |
| the struggle for democracy: Against Elections David Van Reybrouck, 2018-04-17 A small book with great weight and urgency to it, this is both a history of democracy and a clarion call for change. Without drastic adjustment, this system cannot last much longer, writes Van Reybrouck, regarded today as one of Europe's most astute thinkers. If you look at the decline in voter turnout and party membership, and at the way politicians are held in contempt, if you look at how difficult it is to form governments, how little they can do and how harshly they are punished for it, if you look at how quickly populism, technocracy and anti-parliamentarianism are rising, if you look at how more and more citizens are longing for participation and how quickly that desire can tip over into frustration, then you realize we are up to our necks. Not so very long ago, the great battles of democracy were fought for the right to vote. Now, Van Reybrouck writes, it's all about the right to speak, but in essence it's the same battle, the battle for political emancipation and for democratic participation. We must decolonize democracy. We must democratize democracy. As history, Van Reybrouck makes the compelling argument that modern democracy was designed as much to preserve the rights of the powerful and keep the masses in line, as to give the populace a voice. As change-agent, Against Elections makes the argument that there are forms of government, what he terms sortitive or deliberative democracy, that are beginning to be practiced around the world, and can be the remedy we seek. In Iceland, for example, deliberative democracy was used to write the new constitution. A group of people were chosen by lot, educated in the subject at hand, and then were able to decide what was best, arguably, far better than politicians would have. A fascinating, and workable idea has led to a timely book to remind us that our system of government is a flexible instrument, one that the people have the power to change. |
The Struggle for Democracy 2020 Presidential Election Edition …
The Struggle for Democracy introduces students to political science research that is evidence based, peer reviewed, and bias free so that they have the tools to decode the American …
STRUGGLE FOR NATIONAL DEMOCRACY - WordPress.com
This book is a historical record of the legal struggle for national liberation and democracy against U.S. imperial- ism, feudalism and bureaucrat capitalism in the „60s and early „70s. It was the …
The Struggle for Democracy - JSTOR
democracy primarily as a series of cul-tural factors that filter into the political system. Democracy may appear to be a set of institutions, courts, congresses, laws and a constitution; but those …
The Struggle For Democracy 10th Edition By Greenberg
The Struggle For Democracy 10th Edition By Greenberg (PDF) Updated in a new 10th edition, The Struggle for Democracy challenges students to think critically about American government …
The Struggle for Democracy in Nineteenth-Century Europe …
117 The Struggle for Democracy in Nineteenth-Century Europe (1815–1914) TheyearsfromtheendoftheCongressofVienna(1815)totherevolutionsof1848areoftenreferredtoasthe
The Struggle For Democracy Greenberg (Download Only)
The Struggle for Democracy: Unpacking Greenberg's Enduring Legacy. The fight for democracy is a timeless narrative, etched in the blood and sweat of countless individuals across millennia. …
Educating for What? The Struggle for Democracy in Education …
producing a citizenry worthy of a democracy— individuals who are capable of weighing complex matters, of learning as they go from a wide range of sources, and of engaging in critical …
The struggle for democracy: Paradoxes of progress and the
Christopher Meckstroth’s The Struggle for Democracy develops a powerful and persuasive theory of democratic legitimacy, working out the elements through novel readings of Plato’s Socrates, …
The Struggle for Democracy in the United States - The …
WILLIAM E. DODD. FOR nearly four years now the world has been engaged in a most desperate struggle-it has developed into a struggle for democracy, and men now talk democracy and …
The Struggle for Democracy in a Changed World - JSTOR
we find that the guardians of world order have sought to establish democracy in one sense of the term, while blocking it in a different sense. There is every reason to expect these dominant …
A Leaderless Struggle for Democracy - Freedom House
freedoms in the world’s largest democracy. • Iran: Security forces killed hundreds of people and arrested thousands in a bid to stamp out antigovernment protests, and authorities set a …
Otpor and the Struggle for Democracy in Serbia (1998-2000)
Serbian president Slobodan Milosevic used brutal methods to establish his regime, fanning the flames of Serbian nationalism, leading his country into wars with Croatia and Bosnia, and …
Forging a Non-Violent Mass Movement: Economic Shocks …
India’s successful struggle for democratic self-determination and independence from Britain marked the rst major reversal of a global process of colonization and market integration by …
Jeffrey Sachs: Gorbachev and the Struggle for Democracy
Gorbachev is Russia’s leading Democrat, yet he is widely reviled inside Russia, neglected in the United States, and unknown to youth around the world. The unheralded fact is that …
PUBLIC ACCESS TELEVISION AND THE STRUGGLE FOR …
Genuine democracy requires individuals who, minimally, are informed concerning the political issues and processes in their country, and, maximally, who participate in public debate and …
THE STRUGGLE FOR DEMOCRACY IN KENYA THROUGH THE …
This paper traces for discussion, the history of the struggle for democracy through electoral process focusing on the experience of Kenya in order to understand the challenges we need to …
The Chinese Struggle for Democracy - JSTOR
The Chinese Struggle for Democracy By JOHN LEE NO STORY about modern China is more exciting than the story of her people in their struggle for democ-racy; only a major part of it can …
Otpor and the Struggle for Democracy in Serbia (1998-2000)
Serbian president Slobodan Milosevic used brutal methods to establish his regime, fanning the flames of Serbian nationalism, leading his country into wars with Croatia and Bosnia, and …
Community, Struggle and Democracy: Marxism and …
the moral concept of freedom, and the related political concept, democracy. Dewey suggests that the forms in which these ideas are presented do not and cannot do justice to the needs of the …
THE STRUGGLE FOR DEMOCRACY IN THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC …
Explanations focusing on Islam, tribalism, and dominant states have been offered for why the Middle East is still rife with authoritarian regimes. More recently, the absence of a vibrant civil ...
The Struggle for Democracy 2020 Presidential Election …
The Struggle for Democracy introduces students to political science research that is evidence based, peer reviewed, and bias free so that they have the tools to decode the American …
STRUGGLE FOR NATIONAL DEMOCRACY - WordPress.com
This book is a historical record of the legal struggle for national liberation and democracy against U.S. imperial- ism, feudalism and bureaucrat capitalism in the „60s and early „70s. It was the …
The Struggle for Democracy - JSTOR
democracy primarily as a series of cul-tural factors that filter into the political system. Democracy may appear to be a set of institutions, courts, congresses, laws and a constitution; but those …
The Struggle For Democracy 10th Edition By Greenberg
The Struggle For Democracy 10th Edition By Greenberg (PDF) Updated in a new 10th edition, The Struggle for Democracy challenges students to think critically about American government …
The Struggle for Democracy in Nineteenth-Century Europe …
117 The Struggle for Democracy in Nineteenth-Century Europe (1815–1914) TheyearsfromtheendoftheCongressofVienna(1815)totherevolutionsof1848areoftenreferredtoasthe
The Struggle For Democracy Greenberg (Download Only)
The Struggle for Democracy: Unpacking Greenberg's Enduring Legacy. The fight for democracy is a timeless narrative, etched in the blood and sweat of countless individuals across millennia. …
Educating for What? The Struggle for Democracy in …
producing a citizenry worthy of a democracy— individuals who are capable of weighing complex matters, of learning as they go from a wide range of sources, and of engaging in critical …
The struggle for democracy: Paradoxes of progress and the …
Christopher Meckstroth’s The Struggle for Democracy develops a powerful and persuasive theory of democratic legitimacy, working out the elements through novel readings of Plato’s Socrates, …
The Struggle for Democracy in the United States - The …
WILLIAM E. DODD. FOR nearly four years now the world has been engaged in a most desperate struggle-it has developed into a struggle for democracy, and men now talk democracy and …
The Struggle for Democracy in a Changed World - JSTOR
we find that the guardians of world order have sought to establish democracy in one sense of the term, while blocking it in a different sense. There is every reason to expect these dominant …
A Leaderless Struggle for Democracy - Freedom House
freedoms in the world’s largest democracy. • Iran: Security forces killed hundreds of people and arrested thousands in a bid to stamp out antigovernment protests, and authorities set a …
Otpor and the Struggle for Democracy in Serbia (1998 …
Serbian president Slobodan Milosevic used brutal methods to establish his regime, fanning the flames of Serbian nationalism, leading his country into wars with Croatia and Bosnia, and …
Forging a Non-Violent Mass Movement: Economic Shocks …
India’s successful struggle for democratic self-determination and independence from Britain marked the rst major reversal of a global process of colonization and market integration by …
Jeffrey Sachs: Gorbachev and the Struggle for Democracy
Gorbachev is Russia’s leading Democrat, yet he is widely reviled inside Russia, neglected in the United States, and unknown to youth around the world. The unheralded fact is that …
PUBLIC ACCESS TELEVISION AND THE STRUGGLE FOR …
Genuine democracy requires individuals who, minimally, are informed concerning the political issues and processes in their country, and, maximally, who participate in public debate and …
THE STRUGGLE FOR DEMOCRACY IN KENYA THROUGH THE …
This paper traces for discussion, the history of the struggle for democracy through electoral process focusing on the experience of Kenya in order to understand the challenges we need to …
The Chinese Struggle for Democracy - JSTOR
The Chinese Struggle for Democracy By JOHN LEE NO STORY about modern China is more exciting than the story of her people in their struggle for democ-racy; only a major part of it can …
Otpor and the Struggle for Democracy in Serbia (1998 …
Serbian president Slobodan Milosevic used brutal methods to establish his regime, fanning the flames of Serbian nationalism, leading his country into wars with Croatia and Bosnia, and …
Community, Struggle and Democracy: Marxism and …
the moral concept of freedom, and the related political concept, democracy. Dewey suggests that the forms in which these ideas are presented do not and cannot do justice to the needs of the …
THE STRUGGLE FOR DEMOCRACY IN THE ISLAMIC …
Explanations focusing on Islam, tribalism, and dominant states have been offered for why the Middle East is still rife with authoritarian regimes. More recently, the absence of a vibrant civil ...
