Politics in Africa works differently than in Europe, writes Professor Göran Hydén. Here are election posters in Uganda ahead of the 2011 election. Photo: Gabriel White (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Of: Göran Hyden
Thirty years have passed since the waves of democracy swept across the earth. It was the third in the order and differed from previous waves by hitting all continents. There are reasons to review the results. Its influence remains strongest in Latin America and Eastern Europe, where military and communist dictatorships have given way and democracy, albeit threatened, is now […]
Read more »
January 9, 2020, Guest chronicle
Since President Alexander Lukashenko came to power in 1994, no elections in the country have been considered free and fair by the outside world, writes Goran Miletic. Photo: Russian Presidential Office (CC BY 4.0 License)
Of: Goran Miletic
The Belarusian parliamentary elections two weeks ago confirmed what many of us already knew - the country has a very long way to go in terms of democracy. This year's election results - where no one from the opposition was elected to parliament - give the outside world further reasons to monitor developments in the country ahead of next year's presidential election. The general human rights situation in Belarus (formerly Belarus) […]
Read more »
December 3, 2019, Guest chronicle
Today's ETC lead writer Somar al Naher is critical of the lack of interest in the uprising in Iraq, both from the Swedish left and from the journalist corps.
Of: Sarah Hyde
This week's debate has called for support from several quarters for the fight for democracy - in both Iran and Iraq as well as Hong Kong. At the same time, Sida is responding to criticism of the assistance provided in the form of cash benefits to the very poorest.
November 27, 2019, Current debate
The conflict between protesters and the Hong Kong government has escalated over the week. Many protesting students have been imprisoned at a university. Photo: Studio Incendo (CC BY 2.0 License)
Of: Filippa Dyrefors
The protests in Hong Kong have been going on since March, and this week the conflict between the protesters and the government has escalated. In Sweden, a number of debaters have expressed their concern about the increasingly uncontrolled situation. At the same time, the debate about the Swedish development agency Sida has continued on the opinion pages.
November 20, 2019, Current debate
Digital threats and vulnerabilities greatly affect people's everyday lives. Cyber security should be an issue for the whole society, the debaters write.
Of: Emma Henriksson and Vendela Rupp
Today we are dependent on digital services to shop, read news and keep in touch with each other. This means that our everyday lives can be quickly put out of play through cyber attacks and false information. Cyber threats are not just an issue for countries' defense but for entire societies, write Vendela Rupp and Emma Henriksson.
November 20, 2019, Debate
Reducing aid and grants to youth organizations is dangerous for both peace and democracy, writes Emelie Weski. Photo: Thomas Ulrich, Pixabay
Of: Emelie Weski
The organization of young people is one of the most effective preventive measures against armed conflict. This is confirmed by an independent report from the UN Population Fund. To stop financing young people's organization is to counteract sustainable peace. The Social Democrats, the Moderates and the Sweden Democrats get homework, writes Emelie Weski from LSU.
November 18, 2019, Debate
Following last week's elections in Bolivia, President Evo Morales is accused of electoral fraud. Several liberal debaters are demanding that aid to the country be stopped. Photo: Sebastian Baryli, Flickr
Of: Sarah Hyde
During the week, several debaters have expressed concern about Sweden's cooperation with states that do not respect human rights and democracy. Swedish arms exports to Colombia, aid to Bolivia and trade agreements with Cuba. There are some issues that have been debated.
October 30, 2019, Current debate
In Tunisia, the unions played a crucial role in reducing tensions after the Arab Spring, writes debater Ruben Wågman. Photo: Gilbert Scossar and private
Of: Ruben Wågman
Through the work for decent wages, social security, and the pursuit of dialogue, democratic unions have a unique ability to work for peace and prevent conflict. It shows examples from Sudan, Tunisia, South Korea and Brazil, among others. More voices and actors, both in Sweden and in the world, need to stand up for people's right to organize and work in a union.
October 29, 2019, Debate
Democratic space is shrinking at the global level. The government therefore wants to invest in democracy and increase democracy assistance. Photo: Pixabay
Of: Alice Agneus
Sweden's foreign policy must invest extra in safeguarding democracy. That was the message from the new government that came into place in January this year. But what does this mean for Sweden's aid actors? Sida's Birgitta Weibahr and Diakonia's Magnus Walan talk about their views on the matter.
July 12, 2019, News
Civil society in Cambodia has been strengthened with the help of Swedish aid. That is the opinion of the debaters who have evaluated 20 years of aid to the country.
Of: Henny Andersen, Joakim Öjendal and Karl-Anders Larsson
Swedish democracy aid has had a positive influence in Cambodia, despite the country's government becoming increasingly authoritarian. It is written by Henny Andersen, Karl-Anders Larsson and Joakim Öjendal, authors of a unique study that looks at support over a 20-year period.
June 25, 2019, Debate
