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DEMOCRACY AROUND THE WORLD | Citizens with a voice

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Let your voice be heard. Win a trip to the United States.

Did You Know?

  • General Aung San

    Burmese General Aung San, who helped achieve his country’s independence in 1948, is the father of Nobel Prize winner Aung San Soo Kyi, leader of the National League for Democracy.

Quiz

Feature Article

  • A baby drinks water
    Zimbabwe in Crisis

    The senior U.S. diplomat in Zimbabwe urges immediate action by neighboring countries, saying that under Robert Mugabe’s rule the nation is “rapidly deteriorating into failed-state status.”

On the Record

Quote BeginningAcross the continent, African voices are bravely speaking out to say now is the time for [Robert Mugabe] to step down. These leaders share the desire of ordinary Zimbabweans for a return to peace, democracy, and prosperity.End Quote

President Bush, December 9

Blogs at America.gov

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    Democracy Roundtable

    Discuss the challenges facing democracy around the world. Share your ideas about democratic governance and find out what representatives from nongovernmental organizations in a variety of disciplines have to say.

Democracy Thrives Around the World

Democracy is an ancient concept, dating back 2,500 years to the Athenian city-state.  But democratic ideals did not take root in the modern world until the late 18th century.  Since that time, this powerful system for social and political organization has spread around the globe and takes as many different forms as there are democratic countries.  One thing remains constant, however: a respect for all citizens’ right to participate in decisions about how they are governed.