Democracy

Votes Versus Rights

The debate that's shaping the outcome of the Arab Spring.

BY CHARLES KURZMAN | FEBRUARY 10, 2012

No Joke

Burma's famous comedian-cum-activist explains why he can forgive but refuses to forget.

BY CHRISTIAN CARYL | FEBRUARY 7, 2012

Immunizing the Body Politic

Want to promote democracy in Burma? Start by making sure people are well enough to vote.

BY JACK C. CHOW | FEBRUARY 7, 2012

Upping the Ante

With 100,000 protesters -- young, old, and everything in between -- out in the freezing streets of Moscow, the heat is being turned up on Vladimir Putin's drive for the presidency.

BY JULIA IOFFE | FEBRUARY 5, 2012

Cairo's Undercover Strongman

Meet Murad Muwafi, the most important man in Egypt you’ve never heard of.

BY MAGDY SAMAAN | FEBRUARY 3, 2012

The Georgian Paradox

As Georgia's recent experience demonstrates, fighting corruption and building democracy are two different things.

BY CHRISTIAN CARYL | JANUARY 31, 2012

The Prisoners' Dilemma

While Myanmar's reforms this year may appear speedy to outside observers, for its imprisoned activists, the changes are long overdue. 

BY MEGHA RAJAGOPALAN | JANUARY 30, 2012

The Lesson of Bani Walid

In post-Gaddafi Libya, the dream of a stable central government is fading. Militias are filling the gap.

BY CHRISTOPHER STEPHEN | JANUARY 28, 2012

Egypt’s Revolutionary Narrative Breaks Down

With Hosni Mubarak long gone, a heavily Islamist parliament in place, and the military in uneasy command of the country, who speaks for the revolution?

BY LAUREN E. BOHN | JANUARY 26, 2012

The Battle for Bihar

Sleaze still plagues India. But one place is fighting back.

BY SUDIP MAZUMDAR | JANUARY 25, 2012

A Forward Strategy of Freedom

It's neither perfect nor pretty, but the Arab Spring proves that neoconservatives were right all along.

BY ELLIOTT ABRAMS | JANUARY 23, 2012

Paper Tigers

Myanmar may be opening to democracy, but just how free is the country’s notoriously closed media?

BY SEBASTIAN STRANGIO | JANUARY 20, 2012

One Fine Day in Liberation Square

One year ago, Egyptians took to the streets in protests that shocked the world, and changed the course of the entire Middle East.

BY ASHRAF KHALIL | JANUARY 20, 2012

Why the Chinese Save

Contrary to conventional wisdom, China's high savings rate has everything to do with policy and institutions. Culture, not so much.

BY SHELDON GARON | JANUARY 19, 2012

The Slow Death of 'Asian Values'

Why the latest news from Malaysia helps to undermine authoritarianism throughout the region.

BY CHRISTIAN CARYL | JANUARY 18, 2012

Making Up Is Hard to Do

As the Arab Spring countries are about to learn, reconciliation is hard, grinding work.

BY CHARLES VILLA-VICENCIO | JANUARY 17, 2012

Burma's Tightrope

Burma's mysterious president insists that he wants democracy. But can he deliver?

BY AUNG ZAW | JANUARY 12, 2012

'Just Call Me Poor'

Want to work an economic miracle in Egypt? Hernando de Soto has some ideas.

INTERVIEW BY CHRISTIAN CARYL | JANUARY 12, 2012

Down to a Trickle

The revolution in Egypt can’t succeed unless someone manages to revive the economy. Good luck with that.

BY PETER PASSELL | JANUARY 12, 2012

Dances with Thieves

If the West is really serious about combating corruption in the rest of the world, it can start by cleaning up its own act.

BY ANNE APPLEBAUM | JANUARY 12, 2012

Fingers Crossed

2012 could be a great year for democracy. But it won't be a pushover.

BY CHRISTIAN CARYL | JANUARY 12, 2012

The Drive for Dignity

It's hard power that often makes the headlines. But never underestimate the strength of the simple desire for respect.

BY FRANCIS FUKUYAMA | JANUARY 12, 2012

It's Not Just Obama

Twenty elections that could change the world in 2012.

BY LOIS PARSHLEY, URI FRIEDMAN | DECEMBER 30, 2011

Occupy Everywhere

In this year of protests, is it really fair to compare the grievances of the Occupy movement to the courage of the Arab Spring?

BY JAMES TRAUB | DECEMBER 30, 2011

The (B)end of History

Francis Fukuyama was wrong, and 2011 proves it.

BY JOHN ARQUILLA | DECEMBER 27, 2011

Turkey's War on Journalists

As Prime Minister Erdogan's government grows increasingly intolerant of dissent, the media is bearing the brunt of its effort to silence its critics.

BY ALIA MALEK | DECEMBER 22, 2011

Don't Just Do Something, Stand There!

What should America do about the Arab Spring? Not much.

BY F. GREGORY GAUSE III | DECEMBER 21, 2011

Assessing Assad

The Syrian leader isn't crazy. He's just doing whatever it takes to survive.

BY BRUCE BUENO DE MESQUITA, ALASTAIR SMITH | DECEMBER 20, 2011

The Botched Ballot

Why even failed elections are good for democracy.

BY JAMES TRAUB | DECEMBER 16, 2011

The Real Mohamed Bouazizi

One year on, a team of researchers uncovers the man behind the martyr and the economic roots of the Arab Spring.

BY HERNANDO DE SOTO | DECEMBER 16, 2011