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- Description:
- South Africa's general elections of 1994 was a unique occurrence in the country's history, having for the first time enfranchised the majority of the country's citizens. The 1999 elections advanced this process of democratizing the South African policy. This article examines the electoral systems that were applied to two elections, as well as the role of the Independent Electoral Commission in connection with those two elections. It argues that the legal and institutional frameworks established by the relevant laws ensured free and fair elections; but above all they advanced the democratization process.
- Date Issued:
- 2001-06-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- African Journal of Political Science
- Description:
- The purpose of this essay is to suggest an empirically based model to be used as a framework for analysis in studying contemporary political transitions in Africa. The discussion is founded on the leading assumption that the factors which catalyse regime transformation are fundamentally the same irrespective of the direction of change: social crisis intersects with structural conditions and particular patterns of human relationships resulting in a type of change which is conditioned by political culture and the weight of history. Democratisation is only one form of regime change. The paper concludes that while there may be ample evidence that significant political liberalisation has taken place, it is not appropriate to celebrate the "flowering of democracy" per se for the process is often in the direction of "pacted democracy" as opposed to "liberal democracy".
- Date Issued:
- 1996-12-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- African Journal of Political Science
- Description:
- Civil society comprises various interest groups such as human rights groups, co-operatives, trade unions and the church through which individuals collectively carry out their social enterprises. The rise of the centrality of civil society in much of Africa, in both development discourse and the democratization process, has been in response to state weakness. As a result it has become the cutting edge of the effort to build a viable democratic order. This paper contends that the success of civil society in forcing political concessions in Africa relates to the availability of opportunity to mobilize, agitate and bargain with the state from a position of strength. However, the notion that ageneric civil society is uniformly progressive in challenging the African authoritarian state and advancing democratization may not be accurate. This comparative study attempts to bring out the underlying similarities and differences in the contribution of the Christian church and NGOs as civil society organizations to the democratization process in Kenya and Uganda.
- Date Issued:
- 2002-12-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- African Journal of Political Science
- Description:
- A Michigan State University faculty panel discusses the topic "Upheaval in the Middle East and North Africa: Context, Consequences and Implications". Panelists look at the historical context of the Arab Spring movement, describe the present situation in the middle east, the compatibility of Islam and democracy, and obstacles to democratization across the region. Dr. Cynthia Jackson-Elmoore convenes the session and moderates questions from the audience. Part of the series "Sharper focus/wider lens" sponsored by the following MSU colleges and departments: the Honors College, James Madison College, Muslim Studies and Political Science.
- Date Issued:
- 2011-03-29T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- G. Robert Vincent Voice Library Collection
- Description:
- President Barack H. Obama addresses the United Nations General Assembly. Obama recounts the reasons for creating the UN and talks about current world politics today. He also discusses the "Arab Spring" movement, and says that the idea that change can be achieved through violence died with Osama bin Laden. Obama is introduced by UN General Assembly President Nassir Abdulaziz al-Nassar.
- Date Issued:
- 2011-09-21T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- G. Robert Vincent Voice Library Collection
- Description:
- President Barack H. Obama delivers his fourth State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress. He recounts the accomplishments of the previous year including the death of Osama bin Ladin and the end of combat in Iraq. Obama says, "We can either settle for a country where a shrinking number of people do really well while a growing number of Americans barely get by, or we can restore an economy where everyone gets a fair shot, and everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules." He promises to continue fighting against the polices that brought on the 2008 economic crisis and proposes lowering taxes on companies that choose to stay in the U.S. and to cease rewarding companies that move operations and assets off shore. He also talks about immigration, education, energy, tax policy, the deficit, campaign financing and lobbying, the Afghan War, and revolution throughout the Middle East.
- Date Issued:
- 2012-01-24T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- G. Robert Vincent Voice Library Collection
- Description:
- President Barack Obama lays out his vision for a new chapter in American diplomacy as calls for reform and democracy spread across the Middle East and North Africa. He recaps events in Tunisia, Egypt, and other Arab countries, speaks to the marginalization of terrorist organizations, and highlights areas of continued tension. Obama reinforces U.S. objectives in the region and talks at length about Israeli-Palestinian relations. He calls again for a two state solution and the creation of a Palestinian state with borders reflecting the situation prior to the 1967 Six Day War. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton opens the session held at the State Department, Washington, DC.
- Date Issued:
- 2011-05-19T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- G. Robert Vincent Voice Library Collection
- Description:
- The closing minutes of President Clintons speech at Oxford University after receiving an honorary degree of Doctor of Civil Laws.
- Date Issued:
- 1994-06-08T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- G. Robert Vincent Voice Library Collection
- Description:
- President Barack Obama remarks on the death of former Libyan head of state Muammar Gaddafi. Saying that, "the dark shadow of tyranny has been lifted", Obama praises the successful Libyan revolution, but calls on Libyans to respect the human rights of all. He also recognizes Americans who were victims of the Gaddafi regime, and remarks on the political changes sweeping across the Arab world.
- Date Issued:
- 2011-10-20T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- G. Robert Vincent Voice Library Collection
- Description:
- Arrival ceremony for Brazil's President Fernando Cardoso at the White House. President Clinton and President Cardoso both allude to the terrorist bombing in Oklahoma City, and speak of the importance of a US-Brazilian alliance in defending freedom and spreading democracy in the Western hemisphere.
- Date Issued:
- 1995-04-20T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- G. Robert Vincent Voice Library Collection