America.gov-

United States Heartened by Saberi’s Release from Iranian Prison

Merle David Kellerhals Jr. — Mon, 11 May 2009 18:48:11 -0400

The United States is heartened by the release of Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi from Tehran’s Evin prison after an appeals court cut her eight-year prison term to a two-year suspended sentence, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says.

Online Maps Enable Citizens to Report, Track Events

Michelle Austein Brooks — Fri, 08 May 2009 18:09:46 -0400

Online mapping tools like MapQuest and Google Maps are known for helping people get from Point A to B. With the help of some technical experts, these maps can also be used to track and monitor critical events in real time.

Press Freedom in Russia on Downward Slope, Report Says

Leah Dow — Fri, 08 May 2009 17:52:45 -0400

Reports released recently by Freedom House reveal a continuing decline in Russia of freedoms in both the press and the Internet. Those who dare to go beyond what the Kremlin deems appropriate face punishment by means of harassment, the reports find.

Films Highlight Hundreds of Definitions of Democracy

Tanya Brothen — Fri, 08 May 2009 16:49:59 -0400

Football (soccer), water and color were among the many varying images used to define democracy as part of the Democracy Video Challenge’s competition, which asked people to create a short video that completes the phrase, “Democracy is…” The public will select the winning videos by voting online.

A Gallup Study: Who Speaks for Islam?

Ahmed Mohamed — Tue, 05 May 2009 14:30:44 -0400

What do the vast majority of mainstream Muslims really think? Rather than listening to extremists or simply relying on the opinions of individual pundits, why not give voice to the silenced majority? How is this voice different, or similar to, voices from America?

Integrating the Arts with Academic Subjects Boosts Student Scores

Jeffrey Thomas — Mon, 04 May 2009 14:28:45 -0400

An innovative collaboration between the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington and nearby public schools offers a model for both schoolwide arts integration and teacher professional development. English-language learners and special needs students benefit the most.

Obama Marks His First 100 Days

Merle David Kellerhals Jr. — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 18:28:34 -0400

Marking an odyssey that began 100 days ago when he became the first African-American president in U.S. history, President Obama reflects for long moments before the nation on what his presidency has achieved and what still needs to be done.

Attacking Journalists Hurts All Society, Democracy Advocates Say

Jim Fisher-Thompson — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:24:23 -0400

If journalists are persecuted, imprisoned or killed, society as a whole is the victim, say media and democracy advocates speaking in advance of World Press Freedom Day. The United Nations highlighted the importance of a free media by establishing World Press Freedom Day, May 3, in 1993.

Increasing Numbers of Journalists Are Being Imprisoned or Killed

Jane Morse — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:21:40 -0400

There has been a disturbing upswing in the number of journalists being imprisoned or killed, and more online journalists are being jailed by autocratic governments, say experts who spoke at a conference ahead of World Press Freedom Day.

Democratic Policing Essential to Protect Individual Liberties

Jane Morse — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:52:28 -0400

Police officials are often the first contact a person has with a country’s legal system. The American Bar Association’s Rule of Law Initiative helps train law enforcement officials around the world so that the first citizen-police encounter is a positive one.

For Many, Ties to Peace Corps Service in Iran Remain

Howard Cincotta — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:25:05 -0400

The last U.S. Peace Corps volunteer left Iran in 1976, but even decades later, many of those who served in Iran regard their encounters with the Iranian people and culture as among the most important events of their lives.

United States Condemns Rebel Actions in Sri Lanka

Jane Morse — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 19:02:47 -0400

United States once again condemns the fighting in Sri Lanka, which has left thousands of civilians hostage and many others without supplies or medical care. As diplomatic solutions are being sought to end the bloodshed, the situation in the war-torn country is “dire,” according to a U.S. diplomat.

Mobile and Satellite Phones Are Useful Election Monitoring Tools

Jim Fisher-Thompson — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 15:51:01 -0400

Millions of people worldwide use mobile phones to communicate with friends and send text messages. Democracy advocates are harnessing the power of mobile phones (commonly referred to as cell phones in the United States) to monitor elections by transmitting critical data in real time.

A Nation of Volunteers Enters a New Era of Service

Jeffrey Thomas — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:12:59 -0400

A new law expands national and community service opportunities for Americans. The act will usher in a “new era of service,” says President Obama. The law expands volunteer opportunities for Americans, whether with a formal organization like AmeriCorps or in their local neighborhoods.

Eager to Learn About the World, Tech Savvy Afghans Turn to Blogs

Jane Morse — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 11:32:20 -0400

Eager to learn more about the world, tech-savvy Afghans are turning to the Internet and blogging. They also see these tools as a means to educate the world about their country, according to Nasim Fekrat, one of Afghanistan’s trailblazing bloggers.

Clinton Calls for Unity in the Americas

Crystal G. Ofori — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:38:13 -0400

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton calls for unity among the nations of the Western Hemisphere to confront issues affecting the hemisphere as a whole. In Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Clinton holds a digital town hall of the Americas and discusses a wide range of regional issues.

Obama Says U.S., Cuba Taking Critical Steps Toward a New Day

Merle David Kellerhals Jr. — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 12:39:16 -0400

Although Cuba was not on the agenda for the fifth Summit of the Americas, the country was nevertheless on the minds of those participating in the gathering of 34 democratically elected hemispheric leaders April 17–19. “The United States seeks a new beginning with Cuba,” President Obama says.

Declaration’s Language Led to U.S. Boycott of Racism Conference

Jane Morse — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 10:35:04 -0400

While the United States is boycotting the Durban Review Conference, it praises efforts to re-focus the conference on racism and discrimination. The United Nations Durban Review Conference monitors and reviews the implementation of a declaration drafted in 2001 in Durban, South Africa.

Obama Administration Seeks Greater Involvement with U.N.

Jane Morse — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 12:37:57 -0400

The United State’s bid for a seat on the U.N. Human Rights Council is part of the Obama administration’s new focus on multilateral cooperation to grapple with tough issues, says Esther Brimmer, the new assistant secretary of state for international organization affairs.

Relief Workers Might Suffer from Undiagnosed Trauma

Stephen Kaufman — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 09:56:50 -0400

In the aftermath of man-made and natural disasters, humanitarian aid workers provide critical recovery services to help the affected areas get back on their feet. But sometimes it is the aid workers themselves who need help as they confront their own stress and trauma.

Grandeur of U.S. Vision, Monuments Impresses African Visitor

Jim Fisher-Thompson — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 11:55:21 -0400

The State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs brings 20 communication professionals from 16 African nations to the United States to examine transparency and good governance in U.S. communities. Eric Houidjihounde Adja of Benin shares his experiences with America.gov.

United States Remembers 1994 Rwandan Genocide

Merle David Kellerhals Jr. — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 11:58:54 -0400

President Obama says the anniversary of the 1994 Rwandan genocide is a somber occasion to reflect on the deaths of more than 800,000 people killed “simply because of their ethnicity or their political beliefs. The memory of these events also deepens our commitment to act when faced with genocide.”

Veteran Reporter Outlines Challenges of Reporting from Zimbabwe

Stephen Kaufman — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 19:10:50 -0400

Practicing effective journalism under dangerous or repressive conditions is especially challenging. Zimbabwean freelance reporter Peta Thornycroft talks to America.gov about her experiences and offers some expert advice and warnings on what it takes to get the job done.

Some Americans Directly Confronting Legacy of Slavery

Stephen Kaufman — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 12:36:49 -0400

With the help of Eastern Mennonite University’s Coming to the Table program, American descendants of slaveholders and descendants of enslaved people can connect with each other to share their histories and discuss the legacies of slavery including race relations.

Copyright Expert Will Talk About “Fair Use” for Libraries

Helen I. Rouce — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 18:49:17 -0400

Chat Will Cover Using Social Networking to Marshal the Youth Vote

Helen I. Rouce — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 18:34:26 -0400

U.S. Congress to Consider Unrestricted Travel to Cuba

Merle David Kellerhals Jr. — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:04:26 -0400

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators believes that permitting U.S. citizens to travel to Cuba freely will break down economic and trade barriers between the two countries. Legislation to ease restrictions on travel to Cuba from the United States is pending in both chambers of Congress.

United States to Seek Membership on U.N. Human Rights Council

Merle David Kellerhals Jr. — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 16:56:30 -0400

The United States believes working within the U.N. Human Rights Council is the best way to improve the council’s goal of thwarting global human rights abuses, says the U.S. envoy to the United Nations, and will seek a seat on the council during the next round of elections to the council on May 15.

North Atlantic Treaty Travels for First Time to Europe

Carlos Aranaga — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 16:42:42 -0400

The treaty that brought the North Atlantic Treaty Organization into being on April 4, 1949, has left the United States for the first time to be featured at the 60^th anniversary NATO Summit, which will be held in Strasbourg, France, and Kehl Germany, and also Baden-Baden, Germany, April 3–4.

Elections in Guinea Are Its Only Path to Progress

Charles W. Corey — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 17:44:25 -0400

The “only path to progress” for Guinea is to hold free and fair elections as soon as possible, says Acting Assistant Secretary of State Phillip Carter III. He speaks to America.gov about the situation in the country following a December 2008 coup and the chances for progress in the future.

Zimbabwean Activist Plans Human Rights Education Program

Stephen Kaufman — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:01:56 -0400

The Zimbabwean founder of Inside Africa Foundation wants to incorporate human rights studies into secondary schools in southern Africa. He tells America.gov he hopes human rights education for the young will help create desperately needed new leadership for Zimbabwe and other African nations.

Secretary of State Launches Educational Initiative in Mexico

Crystal Ofori — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 12:42:19 -0400

Speaking in Mexico City on March 25, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton announces the launch of the English Access Microscholarship Program, designed to help underprivileged students in Mexico gain educational skills that will help them and their communities.

Mexican Organization Works to Counter Domestic Violence

Stephen Kaufman — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 15:42:30 -0400

To counter domestic violence and neglect of children, the JUCONI Foundation in Mexico is reaching out to parents in an effort to help break the cycles of chronic poverty and violence that have kept generations from advancing. JUCONI works with about 350 children and their families each year.

“Family Talk” Empowers Sierra Leone to Move Past Civil Conflict

Stephen Kaufman — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 16:08:32 -0400

In Sierra Leone, a U.S.-based foundation teams with a local nongovernmental organization to support Fambul Tok, a program that expands traditions for discussing and resolving issues within the family to a much larger community and begins the process of post-conflict reconciliation.

Madagascar President’s Ouster Contrary to Rule of Law, U.S. Says

Stephen Kaufman — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 16:46:17 -0400

The removal of Madagascar’s President Marc Ravalomanana and the installation by the military of a leader from his political opposition are “tantamount to a coup d’etat,” the U.S. State Department says. It announces suspension of all nonhumanitarian assistance to the country.

Martin Luther King III Promotes Nonviolence in Mumbai

Stephen Kaufman — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 11:27:27 -0400

Listen to Martin Luther King III, son of U.S. civil rights leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Martin Luther King Jr., as he addresses an audience in Mumbai, India.

University Offers New Approach to Trauma Healing

Stephen Kaufman — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 17:29:04 -0400

Victims of violence and natural disasters experience traumas that can lead to destructive cycles. Eastern Mennonite University offers a new approach to help individuals and communities understand trauma and how to move beyond it toward rehabilitation and reconciliation.

Reason Is Countering Religious Violence in India

Stephen Kaufman — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 16:54:38 -0400

In the Indian state of Gujarat, the site of horrific violence between Hindus and Muslims in 2002, M. Hasan Jowher dedicates his life to promoting peaceful coexistence and rational thought though the Society for Promoting Rationality. He talks with America.gov about the program’s accomplishments.

New Guantánamo Detainee Policy Rooted in International Law

David McKeeby — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 08:55:16 -0400

The Obama administration’s new policy for holding terrorism suspects at the Guantánamo Bay detention center in Cuba is rooted in international law and marks the latest step toward final closure of the facility by early 2010.

Swedish Peace Agents Combat Fear of Islam

Stephen Kaufman — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:18:12 -0400

The Swedish educational association Sensus and the Swedish Muslim study association Ibn Rushd have joined forces to train 100 Swedish Muslim young people as “peace agents” to deliver a message that promotes tolerance and mutual respect.

Elections in 2009 Key to Guinea’s Return to Democracy

Jim Fisher-Thompson — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 10:11:00 -0400

The December 2008 military coup in Guinea is taking the West African nation down a path that will confirm its status as an international pariah and lessen the nation’s ability to receive aid from the United States, says Acting Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Phillip Carter.

Timor-Leste Community Confronts Gang Violence Through Sports

Stephen Kaufman — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 17:15:43 -0400

The Bairo Pite recreation facility and peace monument is a community effort, supported by nongovernmental organizations, to guide young people away from violence by creating a venue for sports activities and providing a space for youth to congregate away from the gangs that dominate the community.

Hip-Hop Star Emmanuel Jal Sends a Message of Hope

Stephen Kaufman — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 12:07:13 -0400

Listen to Emmanuel Jal, a former child soldier turned rapper and political activist.

Former Child Soldier Uses Music as a Weapon Against Violence

Crystal Ofori — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 19:15:55 -0400

A former child soldier in the Sudanese civil war has turned rapper/activist to touch lives and promote peace and education in his war-stricken homeland. Emmanuel Jal talks with America.gov about how he is using his personal story and his music to oppose violence and promote peace.

Central Asia Countries Remain Major Drug Transit Routes

Carlos Aranaga — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 15:55:18 -0400

The annual International Narcotics Control Strategy Report tracks trends in the global fight against drug trafficking. The State Department report says Central Asian nations are transit points for Afghan opium and heroin going to Europe, Russia, the United States and China.

Jody Williams: Land Mines and Networks

Bruce Odessey — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 09:23:58 -0400

Five years after its founding, the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) successfully persuaded 122 nations to sign an international treaty outlawing antipersonnel land mines. ICBL’s ability to galvanize world opinion in record time is due in part to its shrewd communications strategy.

The Power of Nonviolent Action

Bruce Odessey — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 09:22:59 -0400

Armed insurgencies impose great human costs. Nonviolent “people power” movements succeed by calling attention to official repression and winning support from the undecided.

About This Issue

Bruce Odessey — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 15:45:10 -0400

Introduction to March 2009 eJournal USA, “Nonviolent Paths to Social Change”

Additional Resources About Nonviolent Paths to Social Change

Bruce Odessey — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 15:44:05 -0400

A list of resources to find more information about nonviolent paths to social change.

The Prisoner’s Dilemma and Other Opportunities

Bruce Odessey — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 15:42:38 -0400

Game theory suggests that, although it is not at all simple to accomplish, cooperation can often be shown to be preferable to conflict.

Nonviolent Thought Through U.S. History

Bruce Odessey — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 15:35:24 -0400

Rooted in 16th century Europe, the intellectual traditions of nonviolent thought and action were brought up in the United States in the 19th and 20th centuries and traveled abroad to Asia and Africa.

Geoffrey Canada: A Children’s Conveyor Belt

Bruce Odessey — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 15:34:01 -0400

Geoffrey Canada is one of the lucky ones: an African-American kid growing up in a grim New York City neighborhood who escaped to earn a master’s degree in education from Harvard University. He didn’t forget his roots; he immediately went to work in New York’s Harlem neighborhood as an educator and child advocate.

Katherine Chon and Derek Ellerman: Fighting Human Trafficking

Bruce Odessey — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 15:32:35 -0400

What began with a dinner conversation among students in 2001 at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, has today become one of the largest organizations in the United States and Japan fighting human trafficking.

Shirin Ebadi: Faith in Freedom

Bruce Odessey — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 15:27:56 -0400

Whether they agree or disagree with her, anyone who has heard Shirin Ebadi, winner of the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize, can have little doubt about the uncompromising dedication she brings to the cause of human rights and political freedom.

Wangari Maathai: Trees of Peace

Bruce Odessey — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 15:26:38 -0400

Before Kenyan Wangari Maathai launched her community-based Green Belt Movement to plant trees and protect biodiversity — becoming the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize — few people equated environmental degradation with issues of human rights and democracy. No longer.

Francine Prose: Defending Words and Writers

Bruce Odessey — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 15:24:50 -0400

You might expect most writers to be concerned about issues of freedom of expression. But noted American author Francine Prose has taken her commitment to writers and writing to another level. Since 2007, she has served as president of the PEN American Center.

Will War Ever End?

Bruce Odessey — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 15:17:28 -0400

Warfare is not part of the natural condition of man. Civilization promotes less violent ways of effecting change.

What Do Community Organizers Do?

Bruce Odessey — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 15:15:47 -0400

Millions of U.S. citizens have used community organizers to learn how to press governments to do the right thing.

Harnessing the Power of Protest

Bruce Odessey — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 15:12:21 -0400

Simple new telecommunications tools are removing obstacles to collective action by ordinary people, and thus changing the world.

The E-Campaign: Rallying Volunteers and Voters

Bruce Odessey — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 15:11:23 -0400

The 2008 election victory of Barack Obama showed that Web-based tools for donating money and efficiently harnessing the efforts of large numbers of volunteers can be extraordinarily powerful.

Liberian Community Radio Reaches Out to Politically Isolated

Stephen Kaufman — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 18:00:09 -0400

Liberia’s growing collection of community radio stations is reaching out to citizens who have been politically isolated and encouraging peaceful reconciliation in the aftermath of the country’s long civil war. America.gov talks with William Burke of the Mano River Media Forum about the process.

Mexican Cooperation Is at Heart of Merida Initiative’s Success

Jim Fisher-Thompson — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 19:07:52 -0400

The U.S.-Mexico anti-narcotics partnership operating under the Merida Initiative is working in part because of the extraordinary cooperation of the Mexican government under the leadership of President Felipe Calderón, a State Department official says.

In Democracies, Political Rivals Work Together, Clinton Says

Michelle Austein Brooks — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 14:33:20 -0400

In democratic countries like the United States, political rivals often work together after an election, Secretary of State Clinton says. “We try after we have elections to come together and look for solutions to the problems that we face,” Clinton tells Indonesian journalists.

New Kazakh Legislation a Step Forward on Democratic Path

Carlos Aranaga — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 12:48:51 -0400

The United States calls new Kazakh laws on media, elections and political parties “progress” but says more is needed. Kyle Scott of the U.S. Mission to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe urges Kazakhstan to improve its newly signed media legislation by decriminalizing libel.

United States Cautiously Welcomes Zimbabwean Unity Government

Stephen Kaufman — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 16:41:27 -0400

Despite extending congratulations to Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai for becoming prime minister, the United States is waiting to see evidence of true power sharing and good governance before committing additional development aid to the country.

United States Wants Evidence of True Power Sharing in Zimbabwe

Stephen Kaufman — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 16:56:07 -0400

The United States is unwilling to lift its targeted sanctions against Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe and some of his supporters until it sees evidence that Mugabe will truly share power with his political opposition and form a government that will address the needs of Zimbabwe’s long-suffering people.

Martin Luther King Inspired by 1959 Journey to India

Louise Fenner — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 12:43:55 -0400

The 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1959 visit to India to study Mahatma Gandhi is being commemorated in February with a State Department–sponsored tour by King’s son, members of Congress and others. King and other civil rights leaders drew on Gandhi’s ideas about nonviolent resistance.

Iraqi Provincial Vote a Significant Step Forward, Obama Says

Stephen Kaufman — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 16:26:38 -0400

Iraq’s mostly peaceful provincial elections, held January 31, are an important step forward, President Obama says. General David Petraeus, the commander of the U.S. Central Command, praises the Iraqis for what he described as “an extraordinary accomplishment.”

Efforts to Pressure Zimbabwe Continue Under Obama

Stephen Kaufman — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 16:09:42 -0400

President Obama and his administration are continuing efforts by the Bush administration to convince Zimbabwe’s neighbors to put pressure on Robert Mugabe to step down or meaningfully share power with his political opposition as Zimbabwe continues to deteriorate from health and humanitarian disasters.

United States Supports Call for Fijian Elections by End of 2009

Stephen Kaufman — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 18:28:27 -0400

The United States supports the Pacific Island Forum’s call for Fiji to restore democracy more than two years after a military coup, and for the nation to hold elections before the end of 2009. Fiji has seen several coups since 1987, with continued conflict between indigenous Fijians and the Indo-Fijian minority.

Yemeni Politicians Must Compromise for Sake of Elections

Stephen Kaufman — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 13:02:43 -0400

Yemen’s progress toward democracy lags as its political parties dispute procedures for proposed parliamentary elections. The top U.S. envoy in Sana’a urges all parties to make compromises that will allow the vote to proceed and give Yemen’s people a chance to express their political will.

Burmese Democracy Elusive as Country Marks Independence

Stephen Kaufman — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 10:43:03 -0400

As Burma’s people prepare to mark the 61st anniversary of their country’s independence from British rule on January 4, the Bush administration expresses its support for universal human rights guarantees and its hope that the Burmese soon “will be able to enjoy the fruits of freedom and democracy.”

Bangladesh “Can Take Great Pride” in Election, U.S. Says

Stephen Kaufman — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 12:31:49 -0400

The Bush administration congratulates the people of Bangladesh for their country’s successful December 28 election. A State Department spokesman says the high turnout “underscores the people’s desire to see democracy restored as well to have a voice in their future.”

Filmmaker Apted, Economist de Soto to Chair Video Competition

Stephen Kaufman — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 10:16:08 -0400

Renowned filmmaker Michael Apted, whose directing credits include Amazing Grace and Gorillas in the Mist, will oversee the selection of 21 semifinalists in the State Department’s Democracy Video Challenge. The submission deadline for videos is January 31, 2009.

Noted Filmmaker Michael Apted to Co-Chair Video Competition

Stephen Kaufman — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 12:32:50 -0400

United States Withdraws Support for Zimbabwe Power-Sharing Pact

Stephen Kaufman — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 16:14:06 -0400

The United States no longer supports the September 15 pact for sharing power in Zimbabwe between Robert Mugabe’s regime and the Movement for Democratic Change party, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer says, adding that Mugabe “has lost touch with reality.”

Ambassador McGee on Zimbabwe’s Government

Amor Safi — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 20:06:22 -0400

U.S. Ambassador James D. McGee comments in the Zimbabwe Independent of December 12 on the Zimbabwean government’s failure to care for its people.

China’s Acts Against Human Rights Advocates Raise U.S. Concern

Stephen Kaufman — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 18:40:25 -0400

The U.S. State Department calls on the Chinese government to release writer Liu Xiaobo from detention. The prominent dissident and more than 300 other Chinese citizens signed Charter ’08, which calls on the Chinese government to show greater respect for human rights and political freedom.

Burmese Cyclone Victims to Get Additional $5 Million in U.S. Aid

Stephen Kaufman — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:31:52 -0400

On International Human Rights Day, first lady Laura Bush praises the courage of Burmese women dissidents and announces another $5 million in U.S. aid to victims of Cyclone Nargis. “I know that the next administration will continue the United States’ work to support the people of Burma,” she says.

Zimbabwe Approaching “Failed State” Status, U.S. Ambassador Says

Stephen Kaufman — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 17:55:56 -0400

The senior U.S. diplomat in Zimbabwe urges immediate action by neighboring nations, saying the country’s grim human rights situation is “off the chart.” Under Robert Mugabe’s rule, Zimbabwe is “rapidly deteriorating into failed-state status,” says Ambassador James McGee.

Bush Says It’s Time for Mugabe Regime to Go

Charles W. Corey — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:14:37 -0400

“It is time for Robert Mugabe to go,” President Bush says as he urges African leaders from across the region “to step up and join the growing chorus of voices calling for an end to Mugabe’s tyranny” in Zimbabwe. U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGee says African leaders must “stand up to Mugabe.”

Summit of the Americas Highlights U.S. Commitment to Hemisphere

Eric Green — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 11:35:14 -0400

The April 2009 Summit of the Americas will offer President-elect Barack Obama a “unique opportunity” to signal ongoing American commitment to the Western Hemisphere, says the U.S. national summit coordinator. Hector Morales talks with America.gov about key challenges facing the Western Hemisphere.

“Well Past Time” for Zimbabwe’s Mugabe to Leave, Rice Says

Stephen Kaufman — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 17:05:31 -0400

Secretary Rice says it is “well past time for Robert Mugabe to leave” and that power-sharing talks between the Zimbabwean leader and the political opposition are “a sham.” She also urges the country’s neighbors in southern Africa to lead international efforts to “stand up for what is right” in Zimbabwe.

New U.S. Partnership in the Americas Is Bush Legacy to Obama

Eric Green — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:47:19 -0400

The State Department’s Thomas Shannon outlines for America.gov the ways in which the Bush administration will pass on to President-elect Barack Obama and his foreign policy and national security teams a greatly strengthened U.S. partnership with the Americas.

People Use Social Networking to Fight Violence, Extremism

Meghan Loftus — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 09:55:48 -0400

The Alliance of Youth Movements Summit will be held December 3-5 in New York City. One of the event’s speakers is Oscar Morales, who started the Facebook group Un Millón de Voces Contra las FARC. The group organized 12 million people for international protests against the FARC.

Mauritania’s President Remains Detained Despite Military Claims

Stephen Kaufman — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:36:39 -0400

Mauritania’s first democratically elected government was overthrown in an August military coup and its president, Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi, remains in detention. The Bush administration joins calls from the international community for Abdallahi’s release and restoration of constitutional rule.

Venezuelan Elections Test Chavez’s Commitment to Democracy

Stephen Kaufman — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:34:39 -0400

The United States is concerned over the Venezuelan government’s intimidation of its political opposition ahead of the November 23 state and municipal elections, which a State Department official says is counter to the country’s democratic commitments under the Inter-American Democratic Charter.

U.S. Envoy to Zimbabwe Decries Grim Humanitarian Situation

Stephen Kaufman — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:18:26 -0400

Zimbabwe’s humanitarian situation is dire following months of political deadlock. U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGee reports that 5 million face food insecurity and a cholera epidemic in what he calls a man-made “food and health emergency” in a country that was once the “breadbasket” of Africa.

Nicaragua Needs Vote Recount Under International Observation

Stephen Kaufman — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:59:26 -0400

After widespread reports of election fraud in Nicaragua’s municipal elections, the Bush administration urges the Central American nation to conduct a recount in the presence of international observers. The European Union and the Organization of American States also have raised concerns.

Hemispheric Agenda Aims to Employ Youth, Engage Civil Society

Eric Green — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 13:20:22 -0400

Providing jobs for young people in the Americas is an important issue for leaders of the Western Hemisphere who will meet in April 2009 for the Summit of the Americas. The U.S. Labor Department’s Charlotte Ponticelli will speak at a summit-related event on November 5 about “Youth and Decent Work.”

U.S. Democracy Has “Come a Long Way,” State’s Glassman Says

Michelle Austein — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 10:14:31 -0400

America’s founders would be “astounded” to see the presidential race of 2008, according to James Glassman. The under secretary of state for public diplomacy and public affairs outlines the nation’s democratic journey for an international group of visitors who will observe the U.S. election process.

European Award Shows World Esteem for Chinese Dissident

Stephen Kaufman — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:35:25 -0400

The European Parliament’s decision to award the Sakharov Prize to Chinese dissident Hu Jia shows the international community’s “enormous esteem” for the imprisoned human rights activist’s work, says a State Department official who calls for his immediate release from a Chinese prison.

U.S. Urges More Pressure on Zimbabwe’s Mugabe to Share Power

Stephen Kaufman — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 19:13:17 -0400

U.S. officials urge Zimbabwe’s neighbors and others in the international community to step up pressure on President Robert Mugabe to fulfill a power-sharing agreement. The officials say the United States might impose more sanctions if Mugabe fails to show good faith with the government’s opposition.

Zimbabwe on Path of “Inevitable Transition,” U.S. Envoy Says

Stephen Kaufman — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:53:38 -0400

Zimbabwe is “on a path of inevitable transition,” says Ambassador James McGee, the U.S. envoy to the country, since President Mugabe and his ruling party must share power with the democratic opposition if they want international help in solving the country’s many challenges.

Zimbabwe’s Mugabe “Overstepped” in Claiming Key Ministries

Stephen Kaufman — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 17:46:16 -0400

In claiming the country’s most powerful government ministries, Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe “apparently overstepped” the power-sharing agreement brokered between his government and the political opposition, says a U.S. official, who urges that the original agreement be implemented.

FARC Terrorist Group in Colombia Diminished but Still Dangerous

Eric Green — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:03:48 -0400

The Colombian terrorist group known as the FARC no longer poses a viable threat to Colombia’s government, analysts tell America.gov. But the group remains capable of committing violent acts against the Colombian people, as shown by a September 1 car bombing in Colombia’s third-largest city, Cali.

Venezuelan President Further Silencing Dissent

Eric Green — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 10:52:46 -0400

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez continues to repress political dissent and freedom of speech in his country, several Latin American specialists tell America.gov. The latest example of Chávez’s abuses against dissent is his September 18 expelling from Venezuela of two officials from the New York-based group, Human Rights Watch.

Belarus Elections Fail to Meet International Standards

Stephen Kaufman — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 17:35:27 -0400

Despite “minor improvements,” parliamentary elections in Belarus fail to meet international standards, leading U.S. officials to express disappointment as well as a determination to continue working with the country’s government and people to encourage greater democratic freedoms.

Corruption Worldwide Remains High Despite Reforms

Leah Dow — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 08:59:18 -0400

Perceptions of corruption remain high worldwide, according to a new report by Transparency International. The 2008 Corruption Perceptions Index reports that despite solid governmental reforms in a number of countries, corruption in Southeastern Europe and the post-Soviet states remains widespread.

Free and Fair Elections in Belarus Could Improve U.S. Relations

Stephen Kaufman — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:46:29 -0400

As Belarus conducts parliamentary elections September 28, the United States will be watching closely in hopes that a free and fair contest will help continue the positive momentum in the bilateral relationship that began with the release of political prisoners in August.

Release of Burmese Political Prisoners Positive but Overdue

Stephen Kaufman — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 09:56:26 -0400

The release of 9,000 Burmese prisoners, including longest-held political prisoner Win Tin, is “long overdue, but … very positive,” State Department deputy spokesman Robert Wood says. He calls on the military regime to release all political prisoners, including opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Regional Specialists Offer Views on Causes for Unrest in Bolivia

Eric Green — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 12:42:22 -0400

Civil unrest has wracked Bolivia, where at least 30 people were killed in September clashes between supporters and opponents of Bolivian President Evo Morales. Area specialists tell America.gov their views on the causes behind the unrest and the challenges to political stability in Bolivia.

United States Supports Zimbabwean Political Agreement

Stephen Kaufman — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 08:58:30 -0400

Although U.S. officials have not yet been able to review Zimbabwe’s recent power-sharing agreement between President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, the United States is “supportive” of the deal and expects it to be implemented in both letter and spirit, the State Department says.

Democracy Video Challenge

David Shelby — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:44:25 -0400

World to Observe First International Day of Democracy

Eric Green — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 10:51:36 -0400

Numerous events in the United States and around the world will mark the first International Day of Democracy on September 15. The U.N. General Assembly, which established the commemorative day, says it will help reinforce the need to promote democracy and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms worldwide.

U.S. Officials Waiting for Assessment of Zimbabwe Deal

Stephen Kaufman — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:51:28 -0400

The Bush administration says any political power-sharing deal between Zimbabwe’s government and its main opposition must reflect the results of the March 29 election. U.S. officials are withholding comment on the deal reached September 11 until they can fully analyze it, says a State Department spokesman.

Egypt Convicts Democracy Activist Saad Eddin Ibrahim

Stephen Kaufman — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 16:59:55 -0400

The Bush administration expresses disappointment over Egypt’s conviction of a democracy activist. “Lawsuits should not be used to undermine the principles of freedom of expression,” the State Department says, advocating “the protection of civil and political rights, including freedom of speech and due process.”

Democracy, Human Rights Advances Needed in Azerbaijan, U.S. Says

Domenick DiPasquale — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 18:27:56 -0400

Although the United States and Azerbaijan enjoy a strong relationship in areas such as energy diversification and security cooperation, a senior State Department official who visited the country has expressed concern about the state of democracy there.

Afghan Judge Discusses Legal Reform in Afghanistan

Kelly Bronk — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:19:25 -0400

Afghanistan faces many challenges in rebuilding its judicial system, but Abdul Saboor Hashimi, chief judge of the Sangcharak district of Sari Pul province, remains optimistic about his country’s progress in meeting those challenges. Hashimi answers questions about the rule of law and judicial reform in Afghanistan.

U.S. Sanctions Tightened Against Zimbabwe Regime

Stephen Kaufman — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:15:12 -0400

The United States expands its sanctions against Zimbabwe’s government. Citing its continued support for violence against opponents and its disregard of international concern, President Bush says, “No regime should ignore the will of its own people and calls from the international community without consequences.”

Tweaking the Framework for Credible Elections

IFES — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:13:43 -0400

The National Elections Commission of Liberia and IFES hold an electoral democracy training conference to build confidence, skills and trust among key electoral constituencies -- including political parties, the news media, civil society and youth groups.

Young Latin American Grassroots Leaders Observe U.S. Democracy

Natalia Capel — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 08:36:14 -0400

Some of the Western Hemisphere’s current and aspiring young leaders are touring the United States to watch the world’s oldest democracy in action. The Grassroots Democracy for Young Leaders visitor program is designed to provide participants with a better understanding of U.S. democracy at all levels of government.

United States Wants Zimbabwe Talks to Express Popular Will

Stephen Kaufman — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:23:13 -0400

The United States considers the memorandum of understanding between Zimbabwe’s political rivals “a vehicle for undertaking talks” on the country’s political future and will watch the coming negotiation process with the hope that it “leads to a result that expresses the will of the Zimbabwean people.”

Zimbabwe’s Rulers Might Face Additional U.S. Sanctions

Stephen Kaufman — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 18:05:37 -0400

In the wake of the veto by China and Russia of a U.N. Security Council resolution to impose worldwide financial pressure on the regime of Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe, the United States aims to expand its own financial restrictions to target a greater number of individuals, corporations and government entities.

Good Governance Measures Reflect New Global Consensus

Howard Cincotta — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:02:12 -0400

With growing support from such disparate sources as the Group of Eight (G8), World Bank, and the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation, many nations are making steady -- if sometimes overlooked -- progress in strengthening their democratic practices and successfully combating corruption.

U.N. Security Council Fails to Pressure Zimbabwe’s Government

Stephen Kaufman — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:58:10 -0400

The Bush administration is disappointed the U.N. Security Council failed to adopt a resolution that would have condemned and sanctioned Zimbabwe’s leadership. The United States is continuing to talk with other nations on ways to apply pressure to Robert Mugabe’s regime and encourage the people of Zimbabwe, U.S. officials say.

Local Elections a Step Forward for Sierra Leone

IFES — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 11:52:45 -0400

Magnus Ohman of IFES (formerly the International Foundation for Election Systems) discusses the July 5 local elections in Sierra Leone.

U.S. Official Urges Nepalese Leaders to End Political Violence

Stephen Kaufman — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 11:22:25 -0400

Nepal faces many long term challenges after its successful April 10 elections. A State Department official who recently visited Nepalese leaders urges an end to political violence and says the United States wants to continue its assistance to further democratic progress and political and economic stability in the country.

Legal Empowerment Vital to Ending Poverty, Commission Declares

Howard Cincotta — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 09:38:08 -0400

A report by the independent Commission on Legal Empowerment of the Poor concludes that the basic protection and services of the legal system are essential for breaking the cycle of poverty and powerlessness for as many as 4 billion of the world's population.

Former Drug Policy Chief Calls Colombia Triumph of U.S. Policy

Eric Green — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:06:23 -0400

Barry McCaffrey, former U.S. drug policy director, says American policy toward Colombia has helped the country combat the illicit drug trade. McCaffrey said drug-fueled violence in Colombia is down and that for the first time in 30 years Colombia’s national police force has a presence in every Colombian municipality.

Voters in Estonia Cast Ballots Online

Michelle Austein — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 12:44:44 -0400

Just as the concept of “early voting” is gaining popularity in the United States, so it has overseas. But Estonia’s early voting is unique: In the three days before the election, voters can cast their ballots online, in a process that impresses election authorities with its sophistication.

Zimbabwe Election Will Not Be Considered Legitimate

Stephen Kaufman — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 14:43:29 -0400

Zimbabwe is voting June 27 in “a climate of fear and intimidation,” according to the State Department. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says the results of the presidential runoff election cannot be considered legitimate and the situation in the country “is getting worse.”

U.S. Kingpin Act Lowers Global Threat of Drug Traffickers

Eric Green — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 18:33:57 -0400

The Kingpin Act, enacted by the U.S. Congress in 1999, is helping reduce the threat posed by drug traffickers worldwide, a U.S. Treasury Department official tells America.gov. Individuals and organizations designated by the law as drug kingpins are denied access to the U.S. financial and commercial system.

Negotiated Settlement is Best Way Forward in Zimbabwe

Stephen Kaufman — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:25:52 -0400

A mutually agreeable political settlement negotiated between Zimbabwe’s two main factions is the “best way forward” to solve the country’s violent political crisis that has escalated since the March 29 elections, according to the State Department. However, incumbent President Robert Mugabe “stands in the way” of discussions.

Mugabe Regime Prepares to Force Vote in Sham Zimbabwe Election

Stephen Kaufman — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:41:48 -0400

Zimbabwe’s ruling party intends to force people to vote in the June 27 presidential runoff where incumbent President Robert Mugabe will be the only candidate, the U.S. ambassador in Harare says, adding that the violence against the political opposition has not abated despite the opposition candidate’s decision not to contest the election.

The Right to Vote

Amor Safi — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:16:24 -0400

Who shall have the right to vote has been a persistent question in American history. A theme that runs throughout the American past is the gradual expansion of a universal franchise for nearly everyone over the age of 18.

Equal Protection of the Law

Amor Safi — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 22:53:00 -0400

In the last half-century the constitutional command requiring equal protection of the laws for all people has been critical in the great social movements that have secured equal legal rights for people of color, women, and other groups, in the United States.

Property Rights

Amor Safi — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 19:57:06 -0400

The right to own property has always been an important part of the rights of the people. At the Philadelphia convention that drafted the Constitution, John Rutledge of South Carolina reminded the delegates that "property was certainly the principal object of Society."

Rights of the Accused

Amor Safi — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 23:13:05 -0400

Rights in American history are not designed to free the individual from community norms; rather, they exist to promote a responsible liberty, to allow each and every one to be free from arbitrary power.

Trial by Jury

Amor Safi — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 22:43:10 -0400

It has been said that a society can be judged by how it treats its least favored citizens, and people accused of crimes, by definition, fall into this category.

Privacy

Amor Safi — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 22:20:16 -0400

Privacy, in its modern meaning, is very much related to individuality, and is a right of the person, not of the group or the society. "Without privacy," the political scientist Rhoda Howard has written, "one cannot develop a sense of the human individual as an intrinsically valuable being, abstracted from his or her social role."

Freedom of the Press

Amor Safi — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 21:51:52 -0400

Freedom of the press is different from other liberties of the people in that it is both individual and institutional. It applies not just to a single person's right to publish ideas, but also to the right of print and broadcast media to express political views and to cover and publish news.

Freedom of Speech

Amor Safi — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 21:25:23 -0400

Freedom of speech is an evolving concept, and, as we confront new ideas, the great debate continues. The emergence of the Internet is but the latest in a series of challenges to understanding what the First Amendment protection of speech means in contemporary society.

Zimbabwe’s Government Illegitimate Without Free and Fair Vote

Stephen Kaufman — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:04:43 -0400

The Zimbabwean government’s continuing campaign of violence causes political opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai to withdraw from the June 27 presidential runoff election. Current conditions make it “impossible for there to be a free, fair or peaceful election in Zimbabwe,” U.S. Secretary of State Rice says.

Religious Liberty in the Modern Era

Amor Safi — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 20:59:39 -0400

Religion continues to play an important role in the civic and individual lives of American citizens. Some believe that it should play a greater role in the nation's public affairs, while others believe just the opposite.

The Roots of Religious Liberty

Amor Safi — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 20:46:12 -0400

Americans give much of the credit for religious freedom to the First Amendment to the Constitution, in its own time the adoption of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom marked a greater step away from state support and enforcement of one particular religious belief and toward an open, tolerant society.

Introduction: Rights of the People

Amor Safi — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 20:33:15 -0400

In the 21^st century, the spirit of the Founding Fathers still informs our understanding of constitutionally protected rights, every generation of Americans must recapture that spirit for themselves, and interpret it so that they too may enjoy its blessings.

No Pretense Zimbabwe Vote Will Be Free and Fair, Rice Says

Stephen Kaufman — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:23:57 -0400

The ongoing campaign of violence by President Robert Mugabe’s supporters shows Zimbabwe’s government does not intend the June 27 presidential runoff vote to be free and fair, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says at the United Nations. An estimated 3,000 political attacks have occurred in advance of the vote.

U.S. Secretary of State Praises Strength of Kenyan Democracy

Charles W. Corey — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 09:44:37 -0400

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, meeting with Kenyan Prime Minister Odinga in Washington, praises “the strength of Kenyan democracy, Kenyan civil society and the will of Kenya’s leaders” to resolve the nation’s recent political crisis. Both officials call for free and fair elections in Zimbabwe.

Food Aid Suspension Could Hurt 4 Million Zimbabweans

Stephen Kaufman — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 19:05:12 -0400

The Zimbabwean government’s suspension of food assistance means as many as 4 million people may go hungry “in a very, very short period of time,” says U.S. Ambassador James McGee. He says many election observers are needed for the June 27 presidential vote to help prevent government intimidation and vote rigging.

Zimbabwe Government’s Theft of Children’s Aid Is “Unconscionable”

Stephen Kaufman — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 20:45:18 -0400

Zimbabwe’s government continues to use humanitarian food aid as a weapon against opposition supporters ahead of the June 27 presidential runoff election. On June 6, it hijacked U.S. assistance intended for hungry schoolchildren and distributed it to supporters of the ruling ZANU-PF party at a political rally.

State’s Negroponte Targets Illegal Drugs on Central American Trip

Eric Green — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 12:48:28 -0400

The Bush administration’s Mérida Initiative aims to help Mexico and countries of Central America fight illegal drug trade, transnational youth crime and terrorism. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte says no country in the Western Hemisphere “can be safe from organized crime, gangs, and narco-terrorism unless we are all safe.”

The Effects of Ethnic Strife

Bruce Odessey — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 16:57:10 -0400

Ethnic divisions lead to social conflict, but political and economic reforms reduce such conflict, even in countries where a minority ethnic group dominates the economy.

Marketization Without Democratization in China

Bruce Odessey — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 15:48:50 -0400

Don’t expect democracy to emerge in China any time soon. A booming economy and rising incomes might just bolster the readily adaptive communist government instead.

The Roots of Modern Capitalism

Bruce Odessey — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 15:46:17 -0400

Capitalism and democracy typically did not arise together in history. Whether they can continue to dominate the world’s systems of commerce and government raises a new question.

Democracy, Free Enterprise, and Confidence

Bruce Odessey — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 15:44:27 -0400

Free markets tend to bolster democracy. Sometimes democracy bolsters free markets, sometimes not.

The Roots of Modern Democracy

Bruce Odessey — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 15:42:22 -0400

Liberty and self-government are the two parts of democracy. Free markets come first and make the right conditions for democracy to emerge.

Market Economy Without Democracy in the Gulf

Bruce Odessey — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:42:30 -0400

The Gulf states have mostly free markets but not free elections. The rulers share the benefits of economic expansion but not political power.

Democracy and Capitalism: The Separation of the Twins

Bruce Odessey — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:36:09 -0400

The fear was that Central Europe would embrace democracy and reject market economics. The case now is that Central Europe has accepted free markets but grown dissatisfied with democracy.

Free Markets and Democracy: The Cuban Experience

Bruce Odessey — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 13:57:29 -0400

Decades of oppression by a centralized government have ground down Cuba’s economy. Without freedom, Cuba’s people can never compete in a globalizing economy.

Bibliography

Bruce Odessey — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 13:50:34 -0400

Additional readings and documentaries on markets and democracy.

About This Issue

Bruce Odessey — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:52:32 -0400

Is it possible to have free markets without democracy? Can economic growth lead to greater democracy in countries that are not democratic? Experts offer some answers, and point out such variables as opportunities for wealth creation, the role of social trust, and concepts of "voice" and accountability.

Elastic Democracies and Globalization

Bruce Odessey — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 15:15:21 -0400

Countries can have varying degrees of freedom and democracy. Open markets are necessary but not sufficient for democracy. With the exception of India, recent experience suggests that open markets precede democracy.

Western Hemisphere Meeting Showcases Progress in Colombia

Eric Green — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 16:45:18 -0400

Participants in the General Assembly of the Organization of American States adopt a declaration aimed at expanding opportunities for young people in the Western Hemisphere. The meeting in Medellín, Colombia, also highlights Colombia’s dramatic progress against drug cartels.

On Democracy and Development: Rejecting the Extremes

Bruce Odessey — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 08:29:29 -0400

In the long term, freedom of speech and the press plus democratic accountability make a positive difference in economic development.

Will Freer Markets Lead to a More Democratic Government in Russia?

Bruce Odessey — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:04:21 -0400

Russia has turned back toward authoritarian government despite its economic boom, level of education, and relatively open society. The reason is corruption.

Nations with Influence on Zimbabwe Must Use Maximum Leverage

Stephen Kaufman — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 19:08:56 -0400

Detention of opposition candidate Morgan Tsvangirai less than a month before the runoff election is “deeply disturbing,” says the State Department. The United States urges countries like South Africa to exercise “the maximum amount of leverage” on the Zimbabwe government to ensure a free and fair election.

United States Will Continue to Speak Out for Freedom in Zimbabwe

Charles W. Corey — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 08:57:20 -0400

The United States reiterates its support for freedom in Zimbabwe as voter intimidation continues ahead of the June 27 runoff election. “It’s troubling, it’s disturbing and it is part of a continuing pattern … to intimidate those … with views different than those held by the government,” says a State Department official.

Election Fraud Difficult to Detect, Measure

Michelle Austein — Fri, 30 May 2008 18:15:06 -0400

Especially since the close 2000 U.S. presidential election, there has been an increased interest in detecting and preventing election fraud. A panel of experts outlines how to detect and measure the effect of electoral fraud, and discusses the importance of transparency in ensuring free and fair elections.

Inter-American Assembly Aims To Build Democracy, Reduce Poverty

Eric Green — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:34:14 -0400

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte will meet with officials from Western Hemisphere nations at the 38th regular meeting of the General Assembly of the Organization of American States. The meeting in Medellín, Colombia, will focus on strengthening democracy, alleviating poverty and expanding opportunities for young people.

Maoist Rule in Nepal Marks Potential Turning Point for Group

Stephen Kaufman — Tue, 27 May 2008 17:31:22 -0400

Nepal’s new government will be headed by Maoist former rebels following their victory in the April 10 elections. The transition from violent insurgents to a governing party could mark a potential turning point for the group, but also will spell the end of the 239-year-old monarchy as the country transitions to a republic.

India’s Democracy Has Many Voices

Lea Terhune — Wed, 21 May 2008 18:50:35 -0400

India is distinctive, dynamic and diverse -- a place where people are finding their political voices and flexing political muscle as their nation plays an increasingly prominent role on the world stage. America.gov looks at how citizen rights and responsibilities are evolving in the world’s largest democracy.

Bush Calls for Meaningful Changes in Cuba

Eric Green — Wed, 21 May 2008 18:01:49 -0400

Announced reforms by the Cuban regime of Raúl Castro must be accompanied by meaningful change on the Communist-ruled island, President Bush says. Speaking on Cuba Solidarity Day, the president announces he is modifying regulations to allow Americans to send mobile phones to family members in Cuba.

Cuba Solidarity Day Offers Hope for Cuban Political Prisoners

Eric Green — Tue, 20 May 2008 07:50:45 -0400

Cuba Solidarity Day May 21 is designed to offer hope to the many political prisoners being held in Cuba’s prisons, says Thomas Shannon, the State Department’s assistant secretary for Western Hemisphere affairs. Shannon said great hope exists for Cuba and the country’s political prisoners.

Poll Finds Widespread Support for Democracy Worldwide

Eric Green — Tue, 20 May 2008 16:36:10 -0400

A new poll finds widespread support for democracy worldwide. But the survey of attitudes in 19 nations found democratic governments are not always perceived as serving citizens effectively. Countries seen as unresponsive to the popular will risk a breakdown of the existing order, an expert on global politics says.

Cuba Solidarity Day Reminds World of Cuba’s Political Prisoners

Eric Green — Fri, 16 May 2008 14:03:34 -0400

The first Cuba Solidarity Day May 21 -- the day after the 106th anniversary of Cuba gaining its independence -- will help focus international attention on the more than 300 political prisoners imprisoned by the communist dictatorship of President Raúl Castro. Cuba experts share their views on the importance of this event with America.gov.

Mexico, China Partner with U.S. in Anti-Methamphetamine Fight

Eric Green — Wed, 14 May 2008 15:23:56 -0400

Mexico, China and the United States are working together to stop the use of methamphetamine, an addictive stimulant drug that has been called one of America’s most serious drug problems. America.gov talks with U.S. attorneys about how a stepped-up campaign against the powerful stimulant is reaping success.

Breaking the Silence on Political Violence in Zimbabwe

Amor Safi — Wed, 14 May 2008 15:00:09 -0400

U.S. Ambassador James D. McGee speaks out on atrocities being committed across Zimbabwe in a May 8 letter to the press.

Police Harass Diplomats After Visit to Zimbabwe Hospital

Stephen Kaufman — Tue, 13 May 2008 17:38:39 -0400

Zimbabwean security forces harass the U.S. ambassador and other diplomats amid continuing post-election tensions. If foreign diplomats are being treated this way, “you can only imagine for Zimbabwean citizens what life is like if they make an effort to speak up,” the State Department spokesman says.

Inter-American Meeting to Focus on Youth and Democratic Values

Eric Green — Wed, 07 May 2008 16:10:04 -0400

The views of civil society will be well-represented at the annual meeting of the Organization of American States General Assembly in Colombia in June. Organizers expect about 200 representatives from 94 civil society groups to participate. Creating jobs for youth will be a priority at the event.

Governing by Coalitions and Compromise

Amor Safi — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:06:52 -0400

Every society has (or includes) groups of people with differing views on subjects of importance to all citizens. A liberal democracy recognizes this as a benefit to the nation and thus supports tolerance for and expression of different points of view.

Freedom of Religion

Amor Safi — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:00:58 -0400

All citizens should be free to follow their conscience in matters of religious faith. Freedom of religion includes the right to worship alone or with others, in public or private, and to participate in religious observance, practice, and teaching without fear of persecution.

Constitutionalism

Amor Safi — Tue, 06 May 2008 19:54:59 -0400

A written constitution contains the most important laws by which a nation's citizens agree to live, and it outlines the basic structure of their government. Thus, democratic constitutionalism – based on ideals of individual freedom, community rights, and limited government power – creates the framework for governing a democracy.

Executive Power

Amor Safi — Tue, 06 May 2008 19:49:51 -0400

Leaders of democratic governments govern with the consent of their citizens. Such leaders are powerful not because they command armies or economic wealth, but because they respect the limits placed on them by the electorate in a free and fair election.

Citizen Responsibilities

Amor Safi — Tue, 06 May 2008 19:44:39 -0400

Unlike a dictatorship, a democratic government exists to serve the people, but citizens in democracies must also agree to abide by the rules and obligations by which they are governed. Democracies grant many freedoms to their citizens including the freedom to dissent and criticize the government.

Introduction: Principles of Democracy

Amor Safi — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:38:27 -0400

Principles of Democracy is a new series of one-page primers on the fundamentals of democracy produced by the State Department’s Bureau of International Information Programs.

Education and Democracy

Amor Safi — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:30:40 -0400

Education is a universal human right. It also is a means of achieving other human rights and it is an empowering social and economic tool. Through the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the world's nations have agreed that everyone has the right to education.

Role of Nongovernmental Organizations

Amor Safi — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:24:22 -0400

In democracies, ordinary citizens may organize independent groups that serve the needs of the community or nation they live in and complement, supplement, or even challenge the work of the government. Such organizations are called nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) because they are not an extension of the government's offices.

The Rights of Women and Girls

Amor Safi — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:09:08 -0400

Discrimination against women means that specific laws or practices create a distinction, exclusion, or restriction on the basis of gender.

Free and Fair Elections

Amor Safi — Tue, 06 May 2008 21:56:23 -0400

Free and fair elections allow people living in a representative democracy to determine the political makeup and future policy direction of their nation's government.

Government Accountability

Amor Safi — Tue, 06 May 2008 21:50:02 -0400

Government accountability means that public officials have an obligation to explain their decisions and actions to the citizens. Government accountability is achieved through the use of a variety of mechanisms designed to prevent corruption and ensure public officials remain answerable and accessible to the people they serve.

Freedom of Speech

Amor Safi — Tue, 06 May 2008 21:42:13 -0400

Freedom of speech and expression, especially about political and other public issues, is the lifeblood of any democracy. Democratic governments do not control the content of most written and verbal speech. Thus democracies are usually filled with many voices expressing different or even contrary ideas and opinions.

An Independent Judiciary

Amor Safi — Tue, 06 May 2008 21:33:03 -0400

Independent and professional judges are the foundation of a fair, impartial, and constitutionally guaranteed system of courts of law known as the judiciary. This independence does not imply judges can make decisions based on personal preferences but rather that they are free to make lawful decisions.

Legislative Power

Amor Safi — Tue, 06 May 2008 21:02:37 -0400

Elected representatives in a democracy – whether members of a parliament, assembly, or Congress – are there to serve the people. They perform a number of roles essential to the functioning of a healthy democracy.

Human Rights

Amor Safi — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:52:18 -0400

All human beings are born with inalienable rights. These human rights empower people to pursue lives of dignity – thus, no government can bestow them but all governments should protect them. Freedom, built on a foundation of justice, tolerance, dignity, and respect.

Rule of Law

Amor Safi — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:46:46 -0400

For much of human history, rulers and law were synonymous – law was simply the will of the ruler. A first step away from such tyranny was the notion of rule by law, including the notion that even a ruler is under the law and should rule by virtue of legal means.

Federalism

Amor Safi — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:38:29 -0400

Federalism is a system of shared power and decision-making between two or more freely elected governments with authority over the same people and geographical area.

A Free Press

Amor Safi — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:30:01 -0400

In a democracy the press should operate free from governmental control. Democratic governments do not have ministries of information to regulate content of newspapers or the activities of journalists; requirements that journalists be vetted by the state; or force journalists to join government-controlled unions.

Political Parties

Amor Safi — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:09:48 -0400

To preserve and protect individual rights and freedoms, a democratic people must work together to shape the government of their choosing. And the principal way of doing that is through political parties.

Majority Rule, Minority Rights

Amor Safi — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:04:06 -0400

This one-pager on “Majority Rules, Minority Rights” explains the principles of majority rule and the protection of individual and minority rights would seem contradictory. In fact, however, these principles are twin pillars holding up the very foundation of what we mean by democratic government.

Overview: What is Democracy?

Amor Safi — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:01:04 -0400

This one-pager on “What is Democracy” is an overview paper on the fundamentals of democracy.

Civil-Military Relations

Amor Safi — Tue, 06 May 2008 19:58:29 -0400

In democracies, questions of peace and war or other threats to national security are the most important issues a society faces, and thus must be decided by the people, acting through their elected representatives. A democratic military serves its nation rather than leads it.

Internet Resources

Susan Doner — Tue, 06 May 2008 21:46:07 -0400

Milestones in U.S. History

Janelle Simmons — Sun, 04 May 2008 11:04:06 -0400

Introduction: Democracy in Brief

Amor Safi — Sat, 03 May 2008 23:32:08 -0400

Democracy may be a word familiar to most, but it is a concept still misunderstood and misused at a time when dictators, single-party regimes, and military coup leaders alike assert popular support by claiming the mantle of democracy.

What is Democracy?

Amor Safi — Sat, 03 May 2008 23:22:48 -0400

In a democracy, the people retain supreme power which they may choose to exercise directly, or through their elected agents. President Abraham Lincoln memorably called democracy government “of the people, by the people, and for the people.” The people thus serve as the ultimate guardians of their own freedom.

Characteristics of Democracy

Amor Safi — Sat, 03 May 2008 09:35:32 -0400

Democracies rest upon fundamental principles, not uniform practices. While forms and expressions may differ, every democracy rests upon a well-understood group of values, attitudes, and practices. These core characteristics guarantee majority rule while protecting the rights of minorities and dissenters.

The Culture of Democracy

Amor Safi — Sat, 03 May 2008 21:16:34 -0400

Democracy, like human nature, encompasses a number of contradictory impulses. By supplying rules for managing conflict, by fostering education, and by promoting clash and compromise among competing ideas, institutions, and individuals, democracy fosters diversity, robust debate, and a healthy civic life.

Civil-Military Relations

Amor Safi — Sat, 03 May 2008 21:09:47 -0400

In a democracy, only the people, acting through their freely chosen political institutions and elected officeholders, possess the legitimacy to make political decisions, even those pertaining to defense issues and security. The principle of civilian control over the military is fundamental to democracy.

Political Parties, Interest Groups, NGOs

Amor Safi — Sat, 03 May 2008 21:02:07 -0400

Without citizen participation, democracy will weaken The right of individuals to associate freely and to organize themselves as they see fit is fundamental to democracy. Political parties, interest groups and non-government organizations all play roles in maintaining a vibrant and democratic public culture.

Free and Independent Media

Amor Safi — Sat, 03 May 2008 20:51:11 -0400

A healthy democracy relies on an informed electorate. Modern communications media like radio and television, magazines and books, podcasts, and the world wide web all contribute to the distribution of information citizens need to exercise intelligently both their civic privileges and responsibilities.

Three Pillars of Government

Amor Safi — Sat, 03 May 2008 20:44:03 -0400

Through free elections, citizens of a democracy confer upon their leaders legally defined powers. Constitutional democracies often divide that authority among a lawmaking legislature, an executive to carry out those laws, and a quasi-independent judiciary to interpret laws and adjudicate legal disputes.

Constitutionalism

Amor Safi — Sat, 03 May 2008 20:36:51 -0400

A constitution, or basic and supreme law, codifies and limits government authority, guarantees human rights, and establishes basic governmental procedures. Constitutions may differ as to specifics, but all hold government accountable to the people and establish the parameters for government laws and decrees.

Rule of Law

Amor Safi — Sat, 03 May 2008 20:27:40 -0400

For much of human history, law was simply the will of the ruler. Democracies, by contrast, have established the principle of the rule of law for rulers and citizens alike. Guarantees of due process require that law enforcement rules and procedures be public, explicit, above politics, and the same for all.

Democratic Elections

Amor Safi — Sat, 03 May 2008 20:16:45 -0400

Free and fair elections assure the consent of the governed. Elections translate that consent into governmental authority. For election results to be recognized as legitimate, election processes including registration and balloting must be seen as fair and open, and the system impartial corruption free.

Rights and Responsibilities

Amor Safi — Sat, 03 May 2008 20:05:53 -0400

In a democracy, government serves the people, who are citizens rather than mere subjects. The state protects its citizens’ rights and, in return, receives their loyalty. An authoritarian state, by contrast, demands loyalty and service without any reciprocal obligation to secure consent for its actions.

Citizen Involvement in Summit of the Americas Process Expanding

Eric Green — Fri, 02 May 2008 16:05:38 -0400

Citizen involvement is increasing in the Summit of the Americas process, as demonstrated by a recent Civil Society Hemispheric Forum in Miami. About 120 representatives of civil society organizations from more than 30 countries in the Americas participated. Some of them share their thoughts on the process with America.gov.

Human Rights Concerns Prompt Continued U.S. Sanctions on Belarus

Stephen Kaufman — Fri, 02 May 2008 18:41:11 -0400

Belarusian youth activists meeting U.S. officials in Washington hear that the recent expulsion of U.S. diplomats from Minsk will not succeed in ending economic sanctions that were imposed to encourage democratic reforms. The activists are participating in a State Department international visitors program.

Thurgood Marshall Bibliography and Web Sites

Amor Safi — Thu, 01 May 2008 23:21:02 -0400

Enlisting the Courts in the Civil Rights Fight

Mildred Neely — Thu, 01 May 2008 22:40:02 -0400

Thurgood Marshall, the man who did as much as Martin Luther King, Jr. to dismantle the lies and evasions that for so long justified racial segregation, stockpiled the experience and wisdom that would carry him to the landmark case, Brown vs. Board of Education, and beyond.

The Case of the Century

Mildred Neely — Thu, 01 May 2008 21:51:59 -0400

Although many dedicated professionals worked with him, no American contributed more than Thurgood Marshall to the dismantling of legal segregation, with his victory in Brown vs. Board of Education.

Thurgood Marshall: Timeline

Mildred Neely — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:48:28 -0400

This timeline features high lights of the life of Thurgood Marshall, the principal lawyer behind the Brown vs. Board of Education victory and the first African American to serve in the U.S. Supreme Court.

Marshall's Role in Kenya

Mildred Neely — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:41:03 -0400

In January 1960, the leading U.S. civil rights lawyer, Thurgood Marshall, traveled to Kenya to try his hand at legal change in a new context. Marshall was invited to aid in negotiations over a new constitution for Kenya, then a British colony.

Charles Hamilton Houston

Mildred Neely — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:30:08 -0400

Charles Hamilton Houston, Thurgood Marshall's mentor and law school professor, was the brilliant thinker who crafted the strategy that reversed the Plessy vs. Ferguson ruling on "separate but equal" facilities and paved the way for Marshall's triumph in Brown vs. Board of Education.

On the Front Lines with Thurgood Marshall

Mildred Neely — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:20:29 -0400

Jack Greenberg was a 27-year-old lawyer in 1954 when he worked with Thurgood Marshall on the Brown v. Board of Education case, where the Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation was unconstitutional. In this interview, Greenberg shares his thoughts on the legacy of Thurgood Marshall.

Supreme Court Justice Marshall

Mildred Neely — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 22:07:08 -0400

Unlike King and other African-American leaders, Thurgood Marshall waged the anti-discrimination struggle through the courts and then from within government. Eventually, he became the first African American to serve as Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

American University in Kosovo Training New Generation of Leaders

Stephen Kaufman — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:02:51 -0400

Kosovo is not only Europe’s newest country, but, with a population whose average age is just 22, its youngest. The American University in Kosovo is helping the new nation develop its economy and civil society by training the next generation of entrepreneurs and leaders to take full advantage of Kosovo’s potential.

Democracy in Colombia Seen Making Measurable Gains

Eric Green — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 12:31:20 -0400

Colombia is making measurable progress in reducing drug-fueled violence and in defeating a rebel group fighting the government, says Gerard Martin, director of the Colombia program at Georgetown University in Washington. Martin says that despite its problems, Colombia’s democratic government is becoming a Latin American success story.

Three-Nation Partnership Growing Strong, Says Negroponte

Amor Safi — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:54:48 -0400

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte authors an op-ed in the Times-Picayune of New Orleans on the United States’ strong partnership with Mexico and Canada. The three nations’ “unprecedented levels of cooperation … at every level” are making their citizens “safer and more competitive in the world,” he says.

ELECTIONS UPDATE

Policy officers — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 19:00:22 -0400

Find out more about recent elections around the world and how they meet, or fail to meet, international standards, as well as reactions to those elections by the U.S. government and independent watchdog organizations.

Violence Against Zimbabwe’s Opposition Contrary to Democracy

Stephen Kaufman — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 15:50:44 -0400

U.S. officials say there is no place for violence or intimidation in a democracy after groups loyal to Zimbabwe’s government mount attacks against the political opposition in the aftermath of the March 29 election. The State Department also criticizes plans to recount the votes in the presidential balloting.

Nepali Actors Set Scene for Upcoming Elections

IFES — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 16:29:35 -0400

Drama unfolds in Kathmandu’s Ratna Park as more than 1,000 Nepalis watch a theater group entertain and inform citizens about the upcoming Constituent Assembly election. In collaboration with Nepal’s Election Commission, the U.S.-based nongovernmental organization IFES is supporting theater groups as they perform in all of Nepal’s 75 districts.

Olympic Torch Protests Illuminate U.S. Right to Peaceful Dissent

Eric Green — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 18:39:24 -0400

Protests about the display of the Olympic torch in the United State s are consistent with the American tradition of peaceful dissent. Representatives of human rights group and the media discuss whether these protests and others like them in advance of the 2008 Olympic Games are likely to influence China’s policies.

Zimbabwe Delays Results of Presidential Elections

Stephen Kaufman — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 15:58:22 -0400

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission continues to delay results from the country’s March 29 elections, particularly the contest between incumbent President Robert Mugabe and opposition candidates. The State Department calls for a report that “adequately and accurately represents the actual votes cast and the will of the Zimbabwean people.”

“Extensive” Irregularities Reported Ahead of Zimbabwe Elections

Stephen Kaufman — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 16:56:03 -0400

Independent groups are reporting “extensive pre-election irregularities,” ahead of Zimbabwe’s March 29 national vote, prompting the U.S. State Department to question the chances for a free and fair vote. Concerns include inaccurate voter roles, violence against political opponents and overproduction of postal ballots for use by government personnel.

U.S. Legal System Serves as Model for Russian Courts

Michelle Austein — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:58:42 -0400

Russia's judicial system implemented many democratic reforms since the collapse of the Soviet Union, and partnerships arranged by the Russian American Rule of Law Consortium help Russian legal institutions advance those reforms. America.gov talks with a Maryland judge and partnership participant who recently returned from Russia.

U.S. Envoy Urges Burma To Meet Region’s Human Rights Standards

Stephen Kaufman — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 18:08:29 -0400

As the United States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations celebrate 30 years of ties, the Bush administration welcomes the group’s new charter that authorizes creation of a human rights body and espouses democratic principles. The administration hopes the group will address how to apply those standards to member states such as Burma.

National Archives Shows Political Cartoons To Mark Election Year

Ralph Dannheisser — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 12:37:14 -0400

The National Archives has launched a two-pronged celebration of this U.S. election year, coupling an exhibition of early 20th-century political cartoonist Clifford Berryman’s work with a panel discussion featuring four of his modern-day successors, all Pulitzer Prize winners.

American Volunteer Helps Liberians Realize a Better Life

Charles W. Corey — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 12:59:22 -0400

“Liberia is the kind of country I wanted to come to as an American to be of assistance,” development specialist Conor Hartman says. “If you look at countries around the world that are emerging from conflict, Liberia is the most promising of all … you have the best leadership team and most qualified president, with a very capable Cabinet.”

Drastic Decrease Predicted in Number of Major U.S. Newspapers

Eric Green — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 16:13:27 -0400

Most U.S. big-city daily newspapers will disappear in the next 20 years to be reinvented through the Internet and other "new media" forms, several journalism experts tell America.gov. Paul Gillin, a media consultant specializing in information technology, says he expects the survival of only four or five major newspapers, which include the Washington Post, New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today.

United States Denounces Burmese Constitution Referendum as Sham

Stephen Kaufman — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 10:55:26 -0400

The Bush administration condemns as a “sham” a constitutional referendum proposed by Burma’s military rulers because the document was drafted without input from opposition parties or minorities, and the vote would be held under “a pervasive climate of fear.” The United States calls on Burma to meet demands set by the U.N. Security Council.

New U.S. Sanctions Issued Against Burma Target Arms Dealer

Stephen Kaufman — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 08:42:06 -0400

New sanctions targeting Burma's military rulers and their associates in response to continued human rights violations and the suppression of democracy in the country are announced by the White House. The actions of the junta and its allies "remain unacceptable to all those who value freedom," says press secretary Dana Perino.

Bali Meeting Gives Momentum to Anti-Corruption Measures

Andrzej Zwaniecki — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 19:15:54 -0400

Senior officials and nongovernmental groups are calling on more than 100 countries gathering in Bali, Indonesia, to maintain momentum for the implementation of an international anti-corruption convention. Those at the conference are seeking ways to transform the goals embodied in the convention into concrete actions.

Historic Engagement in the Western Hemisphere in 2007

Amor Safi — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 11:42:01 -0400

The year 2007 was one of positive and comprehensive U.S. engagement in the Western Hemisphere, a State Department fact sheet says. In line with U.S. policy toward the Americas, U.S. efforts focused on consolidating democracy, promoting prosperity, investing in people, and protecting the security of the democratic state.

Iraq Officials Begin New Year with Vow to Battle Corruption

Armand Cucciniello — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 15:44:05 -0400

Kicking off what Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has called "The Anti-corruption Year," top Iraqi officials recently hosted a high-level discussion focusing on administrative and financial corruption. The Iraqi government's efforts demonstrate "a seriousness of purpose, a determination to move forward," U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker says.

U.S. Envoy Works To Nurture Civil Society in Belarus

Jane Morse — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 09:00:11 -0400

Personal presence and the personal touch can be extremely powerful tools in nurturing democracy and civil society, as Karen Stewart, the U.S. ambassador to Belarus, has demonstrated. Her skills in supporting democratic activists laboring under the repressive regime of Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko wins Stewart recognition from Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who bestows on her the first Diplomacy for Freedom Award in a special ceremony at the Department of State.

Rule of Law Fundamental to a Democratic Society

Steve Kaufman — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 19:40:25 -0400

Democracy Thrives Around the World

David Shelby — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 19:37:35 -0400

Democracy – Useful Links

Amor Safi — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 09:17:58 -0400

Political Corruption Photo Gallery

Amor Safi — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 16:37:07 -0400

Political Corruption

Bridget Hunter — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 19:39:00 -0400

How Much Do You Know About Democracy?

Todd Leventhal — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 19:51:38 -0400

Democracy Glossary

Amor Safi — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 19:50:10 -0400

How Much Do You Know About Democracy?

Todd Leventhal — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 19:50:58 -0400

Palestinian Activists Hone Advocacy Skills

Grace Bradley — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 17:40:18 -0400

Palestinians traditionally value education as the way forward, so it is not surprising that the West Bank has dozens of articulate, home-grown advocacy groups. But even the most seasoned civic activists constantly seek new strategies to communicate their message. Recently, the U.S. Consulate General invited an experienced U.S. activist to work with local advocacy groups on communicating their message through the media as part of the United States’ continuing support for democratic development in the Palestinian Territories.

Judicial Corruption Continues To Plague the World, Report Says

Jaroslaw Anders — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 10:43:05 -0400

Systemic corruption of judicial systems not only denies citizens their basic human rights, but hinders economic development and sometimes pushes aggrieved populations to violence, according to a recent report. Global Corruption Report 2007: Corruption in Judicial Systems says that despite international efforts, different forms of judicial corruption continue to afflict many parts of the world. The report was issued in late May by Transparency International, an international anti-corruption nongovernmental organization.

First Freedom Project Boosts Effort To Protect Religious Liberty

David Anthony Denny — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 12:16:01 -0400

A new Department of Justice program seeks to educate the public about laws protecting religious freedom and to build relationships with religious, civil rights and community leaders to ensure religious liberty concerns are brought to the department's attention. The First Freedom Project also aims to strengthen protection of religious rights by creating an agencywide Religious Freedom Task Force to review policies and cases.

U.S. Intensifies Efforts for Worldwide Internet Freedom

Jane Morse — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 13:38:30 -0400

The State Department will address Internet freedom when it evaluates countries around the world in the next release of its annual Human Rights Report, says Paula Dobriansky, under secretary of state for democracy and global affairs. Dobriansky announces the next phase for the department’s Global Internet Freedom Task Force at a State Department ceremony. She tells the assembled policymakers and representatives from the technology industry, nongovernmental organizations and academia that the Human Rights Report to be released in 2007, which will cover activities in 2006, will assess Internet freedom activities.

Muslim-American Rappers Promote Tolerance in Middle East

Carolee Walker — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 13:42:38 -0400

When Native Deen took hip-hop music to Jerusalem in fall 2006, the group of Muslim-American rappers was moved deeply by the holiness of the place and the energy of the hundreds of teens who attended their concerts. Yet nothing came close to the connection the performers felt to their faith during their Middle East trip. “I could feel it in the stone and the rocks,” says Naeem Muhammad of Native Deen, a Muslim-American hip-hop group based near Washington that has a strong following in the United Kingdom and the United States. “Our music inspires Muslims to be better Muslims, but it also gives other people a better view of our faith,” Joshua Salaam tells USINFO in an interview.

About This Issue

Susan Doner — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 18:59:45 -0400

Fostering Development: Millennium Challenge Corporation

Susan Doner — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 16:52:21 -0400

Established by the U.S. Congress in 2006, The Millennium Challenge Corporation focuses on promoting sustainable economic growth. It is providing a powerful incentive for governments to adopt tough anticorruption policies and strengthen their anticorruption institutions.

Principled Responsibility: Transforming the Culture of Corruption

Susan Doner — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 16:23:17 -0400

The United States is proud to support those who advance the fight against corruption by promoting honest governance and integrity, restoring the public's trust, anchoring market integrity, and nurturing a free media and open society.

Bibliography

Susan Doner — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 16:21:45 -0400

Effective Anticorruption Approaches

Susan Doner — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 16:20:44 -0400

Good governance and accountability create conditions that lift people out of poverty, raise education and health levels, improve the security of borders, expand the realms of personal freedoms, nurture sound economic and sustainable development strategies, and create healthier democracies.

Civil Society’s Role in Securing Effective and Sustainable Reform

Susan Doner — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 16:15:34 -0400

Under pressure from civil society, governments and international institutions have concluded anticorruption agreements and made other commitments to improve governance and accountability. The role of civil society will continue to be central to bringing those commitments to life,

Promoting Global Corporate Transparency

Susan Doner — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 16:13:26 -0400

In 1977, the U.S. Congress enacted the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act to bring a halt to the bribery of foreign officials and to restore public confidence in the integrity of the American business system. Most corporations have since developed compliance programs to ensure they don’t run afoul of this act.

The Costs of Corruption

Susan Doner — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 16:11:53 -0400

Looking at corruption as an economic issue means that corruption is more than simply a wrong behavior. It means that corruption, while benefiting a few individuals, is costly to society, the private sector, and governments in the long run.

Shedding Light on Corruption

Susan Doner — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 16:10:15 -0400

Regulations against corrupt practices and legislation to increase government transparency have reduced corruption by examining government closely to weed out waste, fraud, and abuse. The government has also created new high level positions to conduct independent audits and investigations.

Combating Kleptocracy

Susan Doner — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 16:05:41 -0400

In 2006, to combat high-level corruption, the United States implemented the National Strategy to Internationalize Efforts Against Kleptocracy. Two crucial aspects of this strategy are the denial of safe haven to corrupt officials and the recovery and proper dispersion of the proceeds of corrupt acts.

Addressing Corruption Via International Treaties and Commitments

Susan Doner — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 16:04:33 -0400

Once considered an insurmountable and domestic problem, many countries are joining forces to combat corruption. By agreeing on mechanisms to fight it, the international community is opening the doors for increased multilateral and bilateral cooperation on important but traditionally local fronts.

Press Group Cites 13 Countries for Restricting Online Free Expression

Eric Green — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 14:01:04 -0400

The Paris-based global press freedom advocacy group Reporters Without Borders releases a new list of countries that it calls "enemies" of the Internet for "systematically" violating online free expression. China, Cuba, Iran and North Korea are among the 13 countries that have been listed on the press group's 2006 "roll of shame."

United States Commemorates U.N. Religious Freedom Resolution

Lea Terhune — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 14:04:27 -0400

In recognition of the international importance of religious freedom, the U.S. Department of State commemorates the 25th anniversary of the principal modern document supporting religious freedom -- the U.N. Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief.

NATO’s Jones Urges Focus on Afghan Reconstruction, Rule of Law

Vince Crawley — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 10:47:50 -0400

Now that NATO forces in Afghanistan have proven their ability to fight and win battles, the alliance’s top commander says it is time to focus on enabling reconstruction, stopping drug cartels, empowering local courts and police and “nurturing the hope” of the Afghan people. U.S. Marine General James Jones, NATO’s supreme allied commander in Europe, also says international forces in Afghanistan would be more effective if nations contributing troops would eliminate some of their restrictions on where and how those troops can be used.

United States Helping Iraqis Unite, Defend Themselves, Bush Says

Melody Merin — Sun, 22 Oct 2006 10:54:20 -0400

Success in Iraq will depend on the Iraqis' ability to defend themselves and their government's ability to make "the difficult decisions necessary to unite the country," President Bush says. Vice President Cheney calls the work in Iraq central to the “global struggle" against terrorism. Bush and Cheney also discuss international efforts to end the threat posed by North Korea's nuclear activities.

Religious Freedom Establishes Other Freedoms, Experts Say

Carolee Walker — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 13:56:51 -0400

Religious Freedom a Foreign Policy Issue, U.S. Diplomat Says

Carolee Walker — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 12:26:42 -0400

Religious freedom unites people around the world in a way that few other issues do, says Stephen Liston, ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom at the U.S. Department of State. Liston tells an online audience that religious freedom has been a U.S. policy issue since the founding of the country and remains one of the most sensitive foreign policy matters the United States addresses.

NGO Leaders Discuss Roles in Promoting Religious Freedom

Jaroslaw Anders — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 12:50:58 -0400

Judges Must Be Undeterred by Criticism, Justice’s Gonzales Says

Alexandra Abboud and Michelle Austein — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 10:57:00 -0400

“It is essential that judges be courageous enough to do the right thing, motivated solely by a respect for the law, undeterred by criticism or the possible outcome of the next election,” says U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, one of the featured speakers at a conference on fair and independent courts hosted by Georgetown University Law Center in Washington.

Guatemala To Host International Anti-Corruption Conference

Eric Green — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 11:02:04 -0400

The 12th international anti-corruption conference, hosted by Guatemala in mid-November, will explore the continuing problems caused by endemic corruption around the world. U.S. officials from the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development will be joining other government officials from other nations and representatives from civil society and the business community to exchange information and ideas about fighting corruption.

U.S. Supreme Court To Review Wide Range of Cases

Michelle Austein — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 10:59:45 -0400

The U.S. Supreme Court will open its 2006-2007 term on October 2 and will hear a variety of immigration, business, environmental, criminal and civil rights cases over the next several months. The Supreme Court’s term begins the first Monday of October each year and the court typically remains in session until late June or early July.

Pluralistic Democracy Protects Religious Freedom

Carolee Walker — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 13:24:22 -0400

U.S. Attorney General Lauds Rebuilding of Iraqi Legal Institutions

Lea Terhune — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 11:22:35 -0400

U.S. Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales travels to Iraq to meet and commend those whose hard work has helped rebuild and maintain Iraq’s justice system. Key U.S. law enforcement agencies are involved in the effort, and their officers make up the Major Crimes Task Force, which investigates assassinations of government officials, prisoner abuse, civil rights violations and violent crimes in Iraq.

Judicial Independence and Rule of Law Essential, Judges Say

Michelle Austein — Wed, 16 Aug 2006 11:24:15 -0400

Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor says that peace and prosperity in the world require that “all nations abide by the notion of the rule of law." Judicial independence is one of the most essential elements of good governance, adds Honorable Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry at a panel discussion about judicial independence in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Scholar Discusses the Growing Role of International Law

Kate Ericsson — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 10:32:39 -0400

U.S. Senate Votes To Ratify Cybercrime Convention

Carolee Walker — Mon, 07 Aug 2006 11:27:15 -0400

The U.S. Senate votes to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime, a multilateral treaty addressing the problems of computer-related crime and electronic evidence gathering. “The Cybercrime Convention - the first of its kind - will be a key tool for the United States in fighting global, information-age crime,” says U.S. Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales.

U.S. Official Says Violence, Corruption Hinder Iraq Rebuilding

Jane Morse — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 10:37:02 -0400

Despite some progress, violence and corruption continue to thwart reconstruction efforts in Iraq, says Stuart Bowen, the U.S. special inspector general for Iraq reconstruction. “Reversing the deteriorating security situation,” is the chief challenge facing efforts to rebuild Iraq, Bowen tells the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

U.S. Donation, Training Will Help Philippines Catch Cybercriminals

Cassie Duong — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 10:42:40 -0400

A donation of $190,000 in computer equipment by the United States to the Philippine National Police and the Philippines’ National Bureau of Investigation will provide assistance in cybercriminal investigations, according to a press release issued by the U.S. Embassy in Manila. The donated items include highly advanced hard drives, laptops and software that will give Filipino investigators full computer forensic capabilities. “This top-of-the-line equipment [consists of] the same models used by law enforcement agencies in the United States,” U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney says.

Congressional Hearing Examines Religious Freedom in Russia

Jeffrey Thomas — Fri, 28 Jul 2006 13:15:40 -0400

President Bush and other U.S. officials should “be prepared to counter persistent claims by Russian leaders” that U.S. and U.N. efforts to advance human rights constitute foreign “meddling” or are intended to harm the Russian Federation, according to the head of a U.S. commission charged with making policy recommendations. At a congressional hearing, Felice D. Gaer, the chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, presents a number of recommendations for addressing human rights concerns in Russia.

Online Social Networks Can Create New Forms of Community

Marissa Eubanks — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 14:17:50 -0400

Millions of Americans are part of online social networks, and some fear these interactions are eroding personal interactions and community life, but a U.S. scholar says the Internet-based social networks can contribute to a sense of community, culture and strengthen social ties. “The Internet appears to be fueling stronger social ties among friends and family, and new forms of community,” American University’s Shalini Venturelli tells a USINFO webchat.

U.S. Envoy to Armenia Describes Central Role of U.S. Constitution

Carolee Walker — Wed, 12 Jul 2006 10:48:46 -0400

The struggle to build democratic institutions and establish democratic practices must be faced anew by every generation, says U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John M. Evans. “Building democracy is a never-ending challenge,” he tells students and faculty members at the American University in Yerevan, Armenia. “Surely this is as true for my country, which has just celebrated its two hundred and thirtieth birthday, as it is for countries just starting to build democratic institutions.”

No U.S. Soldier Immune from Prosecution for Criminal Acts

Jacquelyn S. Porth — Thu, 06 Jul 2006 10:51:49 -0400

Any member of the U.S. armed forces serving in Iraq “is subject to prosecution” if suspected of a criminal act or unethical behavior, says Army Major General William Caldwell. “There is nobody who is immune from law,” he tells Arab journalists in Baghdad, Iraq. The Army Criminal Investigation Command currently is looking into allegations that several soldiers killed an Iraqi family in Mahmoudiyah in March.

Supreme Court Finds Military Commissions Unconstitutional

Michelle Austein — Fri, 30 Jun 2006 11:11:51 -0400

President Bush says he will conform with findings of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that using military commissions to try Guantanamo detainees is unconstitutional. In a 5-3 decision, the court rules the commissions were illegal under U.S. military rules and the Geneva Conventions. “I will protect the people and, at the same time, conform with the findings of the Supreme Court,” President Bush says.

Federal and State Courts in U.S. Work Side by Side, Expert Says

Carolee Walker — Fri, 30 Jun 2006 10:56:50 -0400

The U.S. judicial system offers its own citizens and citizens of other nations access to an independent review of the actions of the U.S. federal government and a transparent airing of claims, says attorney Peggy A. Irving in a Democracy Dialogues webchat. The chief of the judges division of the Administrative Office of United States Courts discusses judicial administration and the U.S. system of federal and state courts in a wide-ranging webchat.

Most U.S. Judges Do the Right Thing, Expert Says

Carolee Walker — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 11:21:36 -0400

Wikipedia Promotes Free Speech, Encourages “Global Conversation”

Tim Receveur — Mon, 22 May 2006 11:46:14 -0400

United States, Nigeria Working in Partnership Against Corruption

Charles W. Corey — Fri, 19 May 2006 11:30:27 -0400

Meet Benjamin Franklin, America's First International Celebrity

Stephen Kaufman — Sat, 07 Jan 2006 09:57:09 -0400

Benjamin Franklin, whose 300th birthday will be celebrated January 17, was America’s first international celebrity. Find out more about the 10th son of a Boston candle and soap maker who rose to become one of the most famous and intriguing men of the 18th century.