Democracy in Retreat
Joshua Kurlantzick
Yale University Press
Ever since the end of the Cold War, there has been the assumption that, as nations develop economically, they will inevitably become more democratic.
According to Joshua Kurlantzick, a US journalist, fellow of the Council on Foreign Relations and regular contributor to these pages, recent events have seriously dented this aspiration.
Drawing on the research of various global politics think tanks, as well as from on-the-ground reporting from countries such as Thailand, Pakistan, the Philippines and Venezuela, the author presents a thought-provoking thesis into the regression of political freedoms across the world.
He argues that the reasons for this rollback are manifold.
First, are the experiences of the former Soviet and Eastern Bloc countries. Here, the rise of oligarchs from the rubble of Communism has dashed hopes that a more open electoral process would confer instant wealth on its citizens. This, the author says, has caused many to lose faith in democracy and now: "Populist and far-right parties with little commitment to democratic norms [have] gained steadily."
Second, argues Kurlantzick, is the concern that democracy brings chaos. He believes that the middle classes - supposedly the principal proponents of democratic reform - are fearful that if given the chance, the lower classes will elect populist leaders intent on misappropriating their wealth.
Hence, the middle classes are readily accepting autocratic regimes as a buffer against this threat to their well-being.
Third, are the effects of the 2008 financial crisis, which have convinced many that the Western Liberal economic system is all but obsolete.
So now, with this model apparently in decline, it's no surprise that many nations look eastwards towards the superpower in ascent. China, with its continued system of liberal economic policy combined with authoritarianism seems a far more appealing prospect.
Overall, Kurlantzick constructs a cogent argument that this worrying trend is a reality.
The author, however, seems to have been somewhat wrong-footed by events of the Arab Spring, which - despite the immense challenges facing these nations unshackled from the bonds of dictatorship - at least shows the decline is not universal.
Another sticking point is that the author is prone to repetition. At times the reader cannot help but think this whole discourse could have been made with equal validity if condensed into a news feature, rather than a 200-plus page book.
Nevertheless, Kurtlantzick hits his stride in the latter chapters of the work when discussing the consequences of the rollback of democracy.
As he states, unless this retreat is reversed, it will lead to increased repression for citizens, less press freedoms, rampant nationalism and, most disturbingly of all, a more dangerous world.
* Hugo Berger
What is graphene?
Graphene is extracted from graphite and is made up of pure carbon.
It is 200 times more resistant than steel and five times lighter than aluminum.
It conducts electricity better than any other material at room temperature.
It is thought that graphene could boost the useful life of batteries by 10 per cent.
Graphene can also detect cancer cells in the early stages of the disease.
The material was first discovered when Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov were 'playing' with graphite at the University of Manchester in 2004.
RESULTS
2.15pm: Al Marwan Group Holding – Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
Winner: SS Jalmod, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
2.45pm: Sharjah Equine Hospital – Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Ghallieah, Sebastien Martino, Jean-Claude Pecout
3.15pm: Al Marwan Group Holding – Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: Inthar, Saif Al Balushi, Khalifa Al Neyadi
3.45pm: Al Ain Stud Emirates Breeders Trophy – Conditions (PA) Dh50,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: MH Rahal, Richard Mullen, Elise Jeanne
4.25pm: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Cup – Prestige Handicap (PA) Dh100,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: JAP Aneed, Ray Dawson, Irfan Ellahi
4.45pm: Sharjah Equine Hospital – Handicap (TB) Dh40,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Edaraat, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
Disposing of non-recycleable masks
- Use your ‘black bag’ bin at home
- Do not put them in a recycling bin
- Take them home with you if there is no litter bin
- No need to bag the mask
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle%20front-axle%20electric%20motor%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E218hp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E330Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20automatic%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20touring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E402km%20(claimed)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh215%2C000%20(estimate)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeptember%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
UAE's final round of matches
- Sep 1, 2016 Beat Japan 2-1 (away)
- Sep 6, 2016 Lost to Australia 1-0 (home)
- Oct 6, 2016 Beat Thailand 3-1 (home)
- Oct 11, 2016 Lost to Saudi Arabia 3-0 (away)
- Nov 15, 2016 Beat Iraq 2-0 (home)
- Mar 23, 2017 Lost to Japan 2-0 (home)
- Mar 28, 2017 Lost to Australia 2-0 (away)
- June 13, 2017 Drew 1-1 with Thailand (away)
- Aug 29, 2017 v Saudi Arabia (home)
- Sep 5, 2017 v Iraq (away)
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
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Key fixtures from January 5-7
Watford v Bristol City
Liverpool v Everton
Brighton v Crystal Palace
Bournemouth v AFC Fylde or Wigan
Coventry v Stoke City
Nottingham Forest v Arsenal
Manchester United v Derby
Forest Green or Exeter v West Brom
Tottenham v AFC Wimbledon
Fleetwood or Hereford v Leicester City
Manchester City v Burnley
Shrewsbury v West Ham United
Wolves v Swansea City
Newcastle United v Luton Town
Fulham v Southampton
Norwich City v Chelsea
Confirmed%20bouts%20(more%20to%20be%20added)
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Company profile
Company: Rent Your Wardrobe
Date started: May 2021
Founder: Mamta Arora
Based: Dubai
Sector: Clothes rental subscription
Stage: Bootstrapped, self-funded