Follow us on our facebook pages and join the conversation.
From the birth of nations to global sports events... Join our discussion of news and world events!
Democracy Is…the freedom to express yourself. Democracy Is…Your Voice, Your World.
The climate is changing. Join the conversation and discuss courses of action.
Connect the world through CO.NX virtual spaces and let your voice make a difference!
Promoviendo el emprendedurismo y la innovación en Latinoamérica.
Информация о жизни в Америке и событиях в мире. Поделитесь своим мнением!
تمام آنچه می خواهید درباره آمریکا بدانید زندگی در آمریکا، شیوه زندگی آمریکایی و نگاهی از منظر آمریکایی به جهان و ...
أمريكاني: مواضيع لإثارة أهتمامكم حول الثقافة و البيئة و المجتمع المدني و ريادة الأعمال بـ"نكهة أمريكانية
More Than Elections: How Democracies Transfer Power
January 2010
Democracy requires more than holding elections. Healthy democracies are defined by the expectations of citizens and the common rules, understandings, and trust they build. This eJournal USA explores the contours of civil society and political legitimacy within which peaceful transitions of power can occur.
Eric Bjornlund, Co-Founder and Principal of Democracy International, Inc. Elections are just a starting point in a healthy democracy: The true test is a stable government that protects minority rights, rule of law, and free speech, and promotes a strong civil society.
Valerie Bunce, Professor of Government and Aaron Binenkorb Chair of International Studies, Cornell University Elections in a healthy democracy hold governments accountable to the governed and ensure stability.
Philip N. Howard, Associate Professor, Department of Communications, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington Individual citizens and civil society groups employ digital media and social networking tools to communicate rapidly, verbally and visually — sometimes for political mobilization and dissent.
Paul Corcoran, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Adelaide, Australia Concession speeches, particularly after hardfought elections, reinforce government stability by reconciling citizens to election results.
Bruce Gilley, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon Strong civil societies hold elected officials responsible for good governance and cultivate the political conditions in which democracy can thrive.
Martha Joynt Kumar, Professor of Political Science, Towson University, Towson, Maryland, and Director of the White House Transition Project The smoothest handovers from one administration to another require long months of advance work and cooperation by outgoing and incoming presidents.
Donald A. Ritchie, Historian of the United States Senate The transition from Republican president Herbert Hoover to Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Great Depression occurred during a time of great economic and political stress, but nevertheless was peaceful.
Anna Husarska, Translator, Journalist, and Humanitarian Worker A first-hand account of Poland’s 1989 election and of how the Solidarity movement and other civil society groups helped establish Polish democracy.
Grigore Pop-Eleches, Assistant Professor of Politics, Public and International Affairs, Princeton University Two former Communist bloc states have followed different paths toward democracy. Civil society has played a role both in Romania, now a European Union member, and Moldova, an aspiring member.
Zoran Cirjakovic, Journalist and Lecturer Sometimes civil society organizations are less effective than seasoned political dealmakers in achieving a democratic outcome.