Global, National & Local Implementation Infrastructures

Bush to Seek Limits on Lawsuits

Fierce Battle Over Curbs Is Expected

Poverty, Climate on Davos Agenda

DAVOS, Switzerland - British Prime Minister Tony Blair and French President Jacques Chirac urged political and economic leaders to take drastic action against poverty and global warming as the World Economic Forum began its annual meeting here.

Promoting Democracy in Egypt

Washington must confront Egypt's president, Hosni Mubarak, and other regional autocrats with consistent calls for political freedom and open multiparty elections.

In China, Turning the Law Into the People's Protector

More than a quarter-century after launching economic reforms while continuing to restrict political freedom, the Chinese Communist Party remains in firm control of the courts. Most judges are party members, appointed by party leaders and required to carry out party orders. But the government's claims of support for legal reform and human rights, and an influx of information about Western legal concepts, have fueled public demands for a more independent judiciary.

1600 Pennsylvania Meets Madison Ave.

By now many commentators, including "realist" conservatives, seem to agree that President Bush's inaugural speech was radical, if not downright bizarre, in its insistence that the United States can and will deliver freedom to Earth's more than 6 billion human residents. But the truth is that Bush's passion for "freedom" extends only as far as it is useful as a political sales pitch.

An Old Dogma's New Twist

NANJIE, China-Residents of the Chinese village of Nanjie have happily reverted to communism. The secret to their success? A hefty dose of capitalism.

With a Royal Push, Democracy Falls Off the Roof of the World

Just 10 days after President Bush boldly proclaimed Washington's "ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world," he was presented with a fascinating test case - not in Iraq but in the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal.

Backward in China

The detentions of Yu Jie, Zhang Zuhua and Liu Xiaobo confirmed the launch of a crackdown on dissent that includes greater censorship of the press and a new campaign by the Communist Party to tighten discipline in its ranks.

Bush's Democracy Project

A Christian Science Monitor editorial suggests that while gaining Americans' support for the promotion of democracy worldwide may be relatively easy for President George W. Bush, who has made the spread of freedom a central theme of his foreign policy, carrying out the task is likely to present a much more difficult challenge. The demise of democracy in Russia, events in the Middle East, and more immediate security issues facing the U.S. are likely to take precedent over the historic and noble objective of democracy's expansion, the newspaper writes. The Christian Science Monitor (1/20)

'Enough' in Egypt

JUST TWO DAYS after the Palestinian presidential election, in which multiple candidates freely competed for votes, an Egyptian official delivered a contrasting piece of news: The ruling party, he said, intended to nominate President Hosni Mubarak to run unopposed this fall for a sixth consecutive term.

Chaos on the roof of the world

In the midst of a Maoist insurgency he claims the former government failed to quell, King Gyanendra of Nepal has disbanded his nation's parliament, declared a state of emergency and announced he will serve as direct ruler of Nepal for the next three years, according to various reports. Furthermore, in moves many United Nations officials worry could spread unrest throughout the region, King Gyanendra charged former government officials with failing to implement democratic reform in Nepal and is detaining a number of leaders. Click here to read a statement from Secretary-General Kofi Annan. The Economist (2/1)

A year of huge challenges

British Prime Minister Tony Blair writes in The Economist the twin challenges of managing climate change and improving prospects throughout Africa will top the agenda of the G8 nations under his presidency in 2005. While there is no single "silver bullet" that will resolve these global crises, Blair writes, "they are both problems beyond the power of any single country, no matter how well-intentioned or powerful, to tackle on its own." The Economist (12/29)

China's Leader Lauds Policy in Macau in Nod to Hong Kong, Taiwan

President Hu Jintao declared Monday that Macau's booming economy and trouble-free politics prove the wisdom of China's "one country, two systems" arrangement and suggested the policy should "live on" as the government deals with Hong Kong and Taiwan in the future.

Low Voices at High Altitude

The Nepalese penchant for talk, cultivated during 15 years of democracy, has turned King Gyanendra's coup into a farce.

A Dismal Class-Action Finale

The new limits on class-action lawsuits approved in the Senate amount to a rollback of corporate accountability and people's rights.

Harnessing the power of the multinationals

Paul Lewis lauds the "overwhelmingly beneficial impact" multinational corporations have had in spearheading development throughout Eastern Europe, and encourages a rethink of the role corporations can play in overall global development. The creation of jobs, telecommunications systems and thriving local economies are only a few of the many benefits multinationals can bring, writes Lewis, and such efforts can work in tandem with current government and United Nations programs to help speed up development in the world's poorest regions. International Herald Tribune (2/13)

Bush and freedom: With friends like this

While U.S. President George W. Bush's recent call for the expansion of freedom worldwide drew praise in many circles, such rhetoric largely rings hollow within the human rights community, writes long-time rights activist and Open Society Institute President Aryeh Neier in the International Herald Tribune. Bush's retroactive use of human rights as a justification for the Iraq war, the ongoing abuse of prisoners at U.S. detention centers and the American rejection of international norms set out by the International Criminal Court are likely to cause proponents of human rights to "keep their distance" from Bush's policies on the advancement of freedom, he writes. International Herald Tribune (1/25)

Rwanda Estimates 1 Million Face Genocide Charges

An estimated 1 million Rwandans, roughly one-eighth of the African country's population, are set to be tried in traditional village courts known as "gacaca" more than a decade after crimes said to be committed during the country's 1994 genocide. While human rights groups like Amnesty International say the courts could become "a vehicle for arbitrary and summary justice," government officials claim the Rwandan justice system is incapable of handling such a huge number of cases. The Boston Globe/Reuters (1/14)

A-listers, politicians jostle at summit

An eclectic mix of the world's most influential politicos, business leaders and performers is set to meet this week at the annual event known as the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where participants will discuss everything from G8 initiatives on Africa to promoting global free trade. This year's summit theme of "Taking responsibility for tough choices" is a departure from years past, where fears of terrorism and rising oil prices dominated the agenda. Chicago Sun-Times/Associated Press (1/26)

Saudis Gingerly Experiment With Democracy

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia-Nationwide voting, for men only, will decide half the seats of local councils. But it's a start.

Senate Approves Measure to Curb Big Class Actions

The measure would prohibit state courts from hearing many kinds of cases they now consider, transferring them to federal courts.

U.S. has learned to live with U.N.

Many U.S. presidents have at times viewed the United Nations with suspicion, as a world body that interferes with the U.S. foreign policy. However, those presidents usually came to realize the UN mostly promotes U.S. interests, and that is likely to be the case also with George W. Bush, writes Stephen Schlesinger of New York's New School University. One reason for the U.S. to approve of the UN, Schlesinger argues, is "It handles transnational issues that Washington would prefer to duck, like environmental degradation, sexual trafficking, drug smuggling, nuclear proliferation and AIDS." The Toronto Star (2/1)

Minority Rules

As Republicans decide whether to do away with filibusters by changing Senate rules, they would do well to cast their eyes at their Conservative cousins across the Atlantic.

Getting rid of tyrants

The freedom doctrine U.S. President George W. Bush outlined in his inaugural speech is not as radical as many critics think, writes Firmas Press columnist Carlos Alberto Montaner in the Miami Herald. "Democratic behavior is an inescapable condition for access to the advantages of international collaboration," Montaner writes. This prerequisite, Montaner argues, is currently employed by the European Union, the Organization of American States and all multilateral institutions seeking security, better trade ties and respect for human rights. The Miami Herald (free registration) (2/1)

Hong Kong Chief Resigns; Deputy Will Assume Post

The resignation of Tung Chee-hwa begins the first transfer of power since Britain returned the territory to Chinese rule in 1997.

Court of First Resort

The Bush administration can't decide what it dislikes more: genocide or the International Criminal Court, which aims to punish it.

Bush Says Russia Must Make Good on Democracy

In a speech in Brussels, President Bush warned Russia it "must renew a commitment to democracy and the rule of law."

Democracy rising in ex-Soviet states

A Christian Science Monitor report draws attention to the rise of democracy movements in ex-Soviet states like Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan following successful transitions over the past two years in both Ukraine and Georgia, a trend that has Moscow worried about its waning influence in the region. While Ukraine and Georgia have spawned a number of so-called "copy-cat" uprisings, experts warn that reformers face an uphill battle in places like Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, where opposition movements seldom survive the powerful grip of authoritarian leaders. The Christian Science Monitor (2/10)

Bolivia's Leader Says He Plans to Offer His Resignation Monday

President Carlos Mesa said Sunday that he was resigning as new protests spread and threatened the important oil and gas sector.

The Return of Latin America's Left

The new wave of leftist governments in Latin America must seize this opportunity to make aggressive reforms.

With New Chief, Uruguay Veers Left, in a Latin Pattern

After 150 years in which two moderate parties alternated in power, Uruguay's five million people will have turned decisively to the left.

Unexpected Whiff of Freedom Proves Bracing for the Mideast

A similar mixture of anticipation and dread has emerged as the Middle East enters uncharted political and social territory.

Latin America Fails to Deliver on Basic Needs

As privatization is rejected across Latin America, the job of providing basic services is being returned to ill-equipped states.

Allah and Democracy Can Get Along Fine

Iran isn't the only example of among Iraq's neighbors of how to combine religion and government.

Dissing Democracy in Asia

As long as we favor dictatorships like Pakistan over free countries like India, we are not putting liberty and democracy at the center of our foreign policy.

Afghan Living Standards Among the Lowest, U.N. Finds

Afghanistan ranked 173rd of 178 countries in the U.N. 2004 Human Development Index, according to a new report.

A Doctor Whose Mission Is Peace and Prizes

Washington Post columnist Nora Boustany gets a first-hand glimpse into the Nobel Peace Prize process from chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee Ole Danbolt Mjoes, who says the Oslo-based body is moving away from the classic qualifications used in selecting recipients to include more women, environmentalists and other "new criterion" reflective of the times. Discussing past winners and future candidates, Mjoes hopes the committee will recognize the work of those seeking to build sustainable peace that can withstand the test of time. The Washington Post (free registration) (2/18)

Maathai on the Prize

As part of an interview with Grist Magazine, 2004 Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai discusses the beginnings of the Green Belt Movement and how tree planting was the seed for a pro-democracy movement in Kenya. Grist Magazine (2/15)

China Is Pushing and Scripting Anti-Japanese Protests

China's manipulation of popular indignation against Japan to stir up patriotic sentiment carries big risks, analysts say.

Tremble and obey

China's handling of the replacement of Tung Chee-hwa as Hong Kong's chief executive by installing a two-year appointee contradicts Hong Kong's constitution and represents a severe blow to the rule of law in China, International Herald Tribune columnist Philip Bowring writes. The two-year term imposed by Chinese authorities, rather than a full five-year term as called for in Hong Kong's Basic Law, allows Hong Kong neither "political clout in Beijing nor a democratic mandate at home," Bowring writes, noting the move is intended to keep Hong Kong's next leader on a "short leash." International Herald Tribune (3/15)

Congress's Deepening Shadow World

The influence industry in Congress is multiplying so fast that no one really knows how many lobbyists are at work these days.

Crime of Crimes

Commentary: Replace genocide term with "crimes against humanity": David Bosco of Foreign Policy magazine writes in the Washington Post on the limitations of the term "genocide" as a benchmark for humanitarian intervention, calling it an "unreliable trigger" for horrific situations that in many cases do not meet the rigorous standards outlined in the 1948 Convention on the Prevention of Genocide. The Washington Post (free registration) (3/6)

China enforcing green laws, suddenly

China is generally not known for taking great care of the environment, but government officials are beginning to signal they do care about green policies. The construction of up to 22 major dams and power facilities has stopped or slowed as a result of reviews aimed at ensuring the projects follow environmental laws. The Christian Science Monitor (2/10)

World `indifferent' to genocide

A new "responsibility to protect" doctrine currently being pushed by Canada at the United Nations could help nudge nations into action in cases where states violate the rights of their own citizens. International human rights advocate Gerald Caplan says the ongoing violence in Darfur, Sudan, is evidence that mankind has yet to learn from the lessons of the past. Caplan believes stigmatizing inaction and international "sins of omission," could force powerful countries to take action where they otherwise might not. The Toronto Star (2/10)

Out in the cold

The Guardian profiles the post-presidential life of Cold War icon Mikhail Gorbachev, who says though "democracy will in the end fit the needs of every nation" it should not be imposed by force, and not all countries, particularly those in the Middle East, will adopt the American or Western style of governance. Gorbachev also tells the Guardian that in Russia, where millions still live in poverty, limited authoritarian rule is sometimes necessary, a reality he says Russian President Vladimir Putin "has to deal with." The Guardian (London) (3/8)

Mr. Bush, Take a Look at MTV

President Bush is writing a new chapter in the history of the American government looking away from genocide.

Chinese Official Orders End to Anti-Japanese Demonstrations

China's foreign minister called for an end to anti-Japanese protests, the first direct call by a top official to wind down the demonstrations.

Rooting for the Good Guys

The dramas playing out in the Arab world and in Israel are all variations on a theme: Can democracy really take root or thrive in the Middle East?

Bringing the D word into the World Bank

While Paul Wolfowitz's history of promoting democracy abroad caused critics to voice concern that he would mainly push U.S. foreign policy as president of the World Bank, Wolfowitz should not be afraid to embrace his pro-democracy instincts as head of the bank, author Joseph Siegle of the University of Maryland argues in this commentary. History shows that democracies, including those in poor countries, have an easier time fostering development, Siegle writes. International Herald Tribune (6/29)

A Radical in the White House

Franklin Delano Roosevelt's egalitarian ideals, which he stated in his 1944 State of the Union address, should be seen as a blueprint for the future of the United States.

President Holds Firm As G-8 Summit Opens

Group of Eight leaders yesterday launched their three-day summit in Scotland, with U.S. President George W. Bush promising to boost aid to Africa but also appearing unwilling to join the other top industrialized countries on environmental and other issues. The following stories tackle various aspects of the meeting. The Washington Post (free registration) (7/7)

Richardson: Local Leaders Must Lead Fight on Global Warming

Former U.S. Energy Secretary Bill Richardson said it is up to mayors, city councils and other local officials to take steps toward addressing global warming, as Congress continues foot-dragging on the issue. Richardson's remarks come one month after the U.S. Conference of Mayors passed a resolution requiring their cities to try to meet or go beyond goals outlined in the Kyoto Treaty. Environmental News Network/Associated Press (7/12)

Poor Little Rich Country

Any lasting solution to Bolivia's problems must shift real power to it's poor majority.

A Clampdown in China

Hu Jintao is trying to achieve stability by keeping the lid sealed tight on the pressure cooker. But he needs to expand freedoms to provide outlets for those pressures.

China's Environmental Agency Warns Local Officials against Shielding Polluters

China's environmental protection agency has a weak history of enforcement, but it has now identified several cases of pollution and warned local authorities against shielding the polluters, the Associated Press reports. The polluting industries were said to include paper, calcium carbide and iron alloy production. Environmental News Network/Associated Press (5/11)

Debt relief no panacea for Africa -Nobel laureate

Maathai highlights poverty's "root causes": While Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai welcomed increased aid, debt relief and better trade conditions for Africa, she added such gestures were less important than good governance, accountability and education, arguing that such conditions address the "root causes" of African poverty. AlertNet.org/Reuters (7/5)

World Bank Strategy Targets Corruption

World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz yesterday unveiled a "long-term strategy" for battling corruption in the developing countries where the Bank is providing loans. The new initiative, among other things, will have the Bank deploy anti-graft teams in many countries and invest more in areas such as judicial reform. The Washington Post (free registration) (4/12)

UNF President Lauds U.S. and India for Taking Lead

Former Senator Timothy E. Wirth, President of the United Nations Foundation, today applauded the announcement by President George W. Bush and Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh that their countries would provide significant financial contributions to the newly created United Nations Democracy Fund. In fulfilling this pledge, the United States and India will contribute $10 million each to the fund this year.

Russia Inc.

Russia is richer than it was only six years ago — and less free.

Critique of William Ruckelshaus Article Sustainable World

William Ruckelshaus' Sustainable World: A Cure for Pollution or a Prescription for Disaster?

At This Gathering, the Only Alternative Is to Be Alternative

The Bioneers is a three-day pep rally for environmentalists, lefty political activists and young people with “Renewable Energy is Homeland Security” bumper stickers.

Ecuador Tries Novel Balance of Oil and Environment

 

Why I Parted Ways With Chávez

How is it that the people of Venezuela have reached such a bizarre crossroad that we now ask ourselves if it is democratic to establish the indefinite re-election of the president?

Venezuela Vote Sets Roadblocks on Chávez Path

The surprising defeat of a referendum to accelerate President Hugo Chávez’s socialist-inspired revolution has given new energy to his long-suffering opposition.