La movilización juvenil genera esperanza para el futuro democrático de Guatemala

La movilización juvenil genera esperanza para el futuro democrático de Guatemala

Wednesday, August 30, 2023

By: Miriam Psychas

El 20 de agosto, los guatemaltecos votaron decisivamente a favor de Bernardo Arévalo en la segunda vuelta de las elecciones presidenciales, dando paso al que probablemente será el presidente más progresista del país en décadas. En apenas dos meses, el Partido Movimiento Semilla de Arévalo condujo una campaña de bajo presupuesto impulsada, desde las redes sociales, que llevó a un candidato poco conocido a una victoria aplastante de 20 puntos.

Type: Analysis

Democracy & GovernanceYouth

Youth Mobilization Sparks Hope for Guatemala’s Democratic Future

Youth Mobilization Sparks Hope for Guatemala’s Democratic Future

Monday, August 28, 2023

By: Miriam Psychas

On August 20, Guatemalans voted decisively in favor of Bernardo Arévalo in their runoff presidential election, ushering in what will likely be the country’s most progressive president in decades. In just two months, Arévalo’s Movimiento Semilla party used its low-budget, social media-fueled campaign to propel him from obscure underdog candidate to a 20-point landslide victory.

Type: Analysis

Democracy & GovernanceYouth

¿Cómo deberían responder los Estados Unidos a la influencia China en América Latina?

¿Cómo deberían responder los Estados Unidos a la influencia China en América Latina?

Monday, August 28, 2023

By: Nicolás Devia-Valbuena;  Gen. Alberto Mejia

El 21 de agosto, el Parlamento Centroamericano – organismo regional regional que representa a Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, la República Dominicana y Panamá – votó a favor de expulsar a Taiwán como observador permanente y sustituirlo por la República Popular China (RPC).

Type: Analysis

Democracy & GovernanceGlobal Policy

In Latin America, the U.S. Should Put Democratic Partnerships Front and Center

In Latin America, the U.S. Should Put Democratic Partnerships Front and Center

Thursday, August 24, 2023

By: Ambassador John Feeley

One of the most sage and skilled diplomats of the last century, the late Secretary of State George Shultz, used the analogy of a “garden” to describe the essential work of quiet statecraft. A healthy garden needs constant care and tending, he would say, as validation of the importance of sitting down with friends on a regular basis to discuss trends and developments in the absence of crisis flashpoints. This is exactly the type of approach that Costa Rica has warranted because of its strong commitment to democratic governance.

Type: Analysis

Democracy & Governance

Citizen State and Community Relations in Building Local Governance

Citizen State and Community Relations in Building Local Governance

Monday, August 21, 2023

By: Andrew Cheatham;  Mohamed Fortia;  Nathaniel Wilson

Since the revolution in 2011 and the toppling of the long-standing regime of Muammar Gaddafi, Libya has experienced various degrees of political instability and conflict. A succession of internationally supported “transitions” have failed to bring the Libyan people a functioning state with a clear social contract based on a shared vision for the nation. This paper discusses the present challenges for good local governance as perceived by Libyan citizens and institutional actors. Through this lens, recommendations are offered for immediate, short-, and medium-term initiatives that can support the improvement of citizen relations with the three traditional arms of the state—the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Type: Discussion Paper

Democracy & Governance

Pakistan’s Parliamentary Period Ends as Election Uncertainty Looms

Pakistan’s Parliamentary Period Ends as Election Uncertainty Looms

Thursday, August 10, 2023

By: Asfandyar Mir, Ph.D.

A five-year parliamentary term just concluded in Pakistan, marking the third such term since the country's 2008 transition from military rule. These past five years were marred by domestic political tumult and an outsized — at times decisive — military role in politics. During this period, Pakistan witnessed two ruling coalitions with different prime ministers: the Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and allied parties from August 2018 to April 2022, followed by the Shehbaz Sharif-led Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) and allies from April 2022 until this week. Top political leaders also faced legal issues — most recently, Khan was convicted for illegally selling state gifts and disqualified from contesting the election.

Type: Analysis

Civilian-Military RelationsDemocracy & Governance

Amid Taliban Repression, Afghan Media Are a Beacon of Hope

Amid Taliban Repression, Afghan Media Are a Beacon of Hope

Thursday, August 10, 2023

By: Barry Salaam

Since regaining power two years ago, the Taliban have largely discarded Afghanistan’s democratic institutions but have taken a somewhat accommodating, albeit contradictory, approach toward independent media. Instead of a banning independent media altogether, they have implemented regulatory restrictions and punitive measures to limit free speech and control the media environment. This policy approach seems to be part of an evolving communication strategy that helped enable the group’s rise to power. Despite all the bad news coming out of Afghanistan, resilient, creative journalists and media outlets provide reason for some guarded optimism. The international community should do what it can to support the media sector, which is essential for advocating for citizen rights and providing an information lifeline to Afghans.

Type: Analysis

Democracy & Governance

Bangladesh: Survey Reveals Premier Remains Popular Despite Growing Public Discontent

Bangladesh: Survey Reveals Premier Remains Popular Despite Growing Public Discontent

Wednesday, August 9, 2023

By: David Hoogstra;  Geoffrey Macdonald, Ph.D.

Political tension is rising in Bangladesh ahead of the country’s next round of national elections, due by January 2024. The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is boycotting elections to extract concessions from the government on election management; rampant inflation is increasing citizens’ daily struggles; and both the BNP and ruling Awami League (AL) are holding large rallies across the country to mobilize their supporters. Yet in this tumultuous political scenario, there is little publicly available polling to understand the state of race.

Type: Analysis

Democracy & GovernanceEconomics

¿Elegirán los votantes o los tribunales al próximo presidente de Guatemala?

¿Elegirán los votantes o los tribunales al próximo presidente de Guatemala?

Wednesday, August 2, 2023

By: Alexander Aizenstatd;  Gabriela Carrera;  Juan Cruz;  Stephen McFarland;  Carlos Mendoza;  Mary Speck, Ph.D.

Los guatemaltecos acuden a las urnas el 20 de agosto para votar en la segunda vuelta de las elecciones presidenciales. Ambos candidatos provienen de la centroizquierda del país: Sandra Torres, activista veterana, que ya se ha presentado dos veces a las elecciones presidenciales, y Bernardo Arévalo, quien lidera un partido relativamente nuevo y cuya sorprendente victoria lo ha llevado por primera vez a la segunda vuelta.

Type: Analysis

Democracy & Governance