Turkey is more democratic and more liberal than in past decades. But a state stuck between the mosque and the barrack cannot be called a strong state.
Pakistani political parties may be right that at the local level they will be outcompeted by local elites, but they are mistaken to think that means they must ignore local politics.
Without a new constitution, Turkey seems to be unable to consolidate its democracy and strengthen the culture of living together in diversity. Recent developments have made a new, civil, and democratic constitution necessary, and increasingly popular.
What should be taken from the Greek election is that the political institutions of the country offered, and the electorate seriously considered, an alternative.
There has not been much consideration of how Scotland potentially seceding from the UK might impact the Basque movement in Spain. Despite the many similarities between the two cases, it is unlikely to have much impact.
Mexico’s recent Presidential election returned the PRI back to power twelve years after the party was ousted. Numerous problems continue to plague the country. This election won’t change that.
While Russia is not likely to emerge as North Korea, or even Belarus, it is likely that the state will continue to engage in a complex strategy of repression to maintain its position.
Papua New Guinea has in fact been one of the few post-colonial states to maintain an unbroken record of democratic government, with national elections held on schedule and governments changing by constitutional means. Recent events have threatened to undermine its record.
Turkey needs a pluralist and democratic-secular constitution with strong divisions of power and checks and balances. It should have specific & strong protections to secure accountability, an independent and neutral judiciary and freedom of belief and expression for all.
The high expectations that accompanied Hosni Mubarak’s resignation last year have not come to pass. Egypt’s current Presidential election will be critical in determining whether Cairo’s future will bring democracy or merely democratic window-dressing.
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