Democracy Lab

The Islamic World's Quiet Revolution

Forget politics. Muslim countries are poised to experience a new wave of change -- but this time it's all about demographics.

BY NICHOLAS EBERSTADT | MARCH 9, 2012

The Personality Problem

In an age of globalization and revolutionary upheaval, grand impersonal forces might appear to be winning out. But don't discount the human factor.

BY CHRISTIAN CARYL | MARCH 7, 2012

Hoping Against All Hope

Tibetans are setting themselves on fire to protest Chinese rule. So is there anything the leader of the Tibetan government-in-exile can do about it?

BY SUDIP MAZUMDAR | MARCH 5, 2012

Moscow's Merry Pranksters

Big public demonstrations may be a new development in Russia, but protests in the streets have been around for a while. Just ask the artists.

BY ALEXIS ZIMBERG | MARCH 3, 2012

Mind the Gap

Inequality is an increasing problem around the world. But there are cures.

BY PETER PASSELL | MARCH 1, 2012

The Fix Is In

Why the coming election in Iran will be the fakest one yet.

BY JAMSHEED CHOKSY | FEBRUARY 27, 2012

In Mexico, An Activist Says Her Farewells

For more than a decade, Norma Andrade has been working to defend Mexico’s women from violence. Now she’s decided to get out.

BY LARRY KAPLOW | FEBRUARY 24, 2012

Why Capital Flows Uphill

You wouldn't necessarily expect capital to move from poor countries to rich ones. But that's exactly what seems to be happening in some cases. Here's why.

BY PETER PASSELL | FEBRUARY 23, 2012

Rude Awakening

Promoting democracy in places like Egypt or Iraq is about changing the status quo. So why are we so surprised when it turns out that not everyone is in favor?

BY CHRISTIAN CARYL | FEBRUARY 22, 2012

You Can Run But You Can't Hide

Activists are preparing to charge Yemen's ex-strongman Ali Abdullah Saleh with crimes against humanity -- despite a deal that guarantees him immunity at home.

BY INNA LAZAREVA | FEBRUARY 20, 2012

Waiting for Spring

If the Middle East is your yardstick, the countries of Central Asia ought to be on the verge of revolution. But don't hold your breath.

BY SCOTT RADNITZ | FEBRUARY 17, 2012

Nationality: Democrat

Democracy and identity politics aren't mutually exclusive. But don't try telling that to the Chinese Communist Party.

BY ELLEN BORK | FEBRUARY 17, 2012

Off the Beaten Path

Some of the best economic innovations come from places you wouldn't expect.

BY JEFFREY FRANKEL | FEBRUARY 16, 2012

Separated at Birth

Indonesia's transition to democracy can tell us a lot about the likely course of Egypt's revolution. There's good news and there's bad news.

BY JOHN T. SIDEL | FEBRUARY 15, 2012

The Strange Revolution in Bahrain, One Year On

The revolt in little Bahrain is easy to ignore. But it’s actually part of a big global story.

BY CHRISTIAN CARYL | FEBRUARY 14, 2012

Votes Versus Rights

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

BY CHARLES KURZMAN | FEBRUARY 10, 2012

Embarrassment of Riches

Natural resources would seem to promise easy money. Welcome to the dark side.

BY PETER PASSELL | FEBRUARY 9, 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

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 Little Economy That Could

If you're looking for an unlikely economic success story, you can hardly do better than Mauritius.

BY JEFFREY FRANKEL | FEBRUARY 2, 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 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

Why Putinomics Isn't Worth Emulating

Don't let the Russian economy fool you: It's still all about oil.

BY PETER PASSELL | JANUARY 27, 2012

The Battle for Bihar

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

BY SUDIP MAZUMDAR | JANUARY 25, 2012

Girl Power and the Fragility Trap

Academic economists usually air their new ideas first in working papers. Here, before the work gets dusty, a quick look at transition policy research in progress.

BY PETER PASSELL | 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