For more blog entries about the films, news and the world in general, take a look at our new Democracy Blog.

"For the first time in Bolivian history, the people will not only have
the right to choose but also to decide if the authorities are failing
them,"

Its not often we hear these words from politicians (take note Mr Mugabe) about the their own performance. But it seems that Bolivia's ruling party is living up to this stange concept called "accountability" and holding a referendum on whether regional governments should stay in power. Full story here

Another interesting read on the Bolivia's situation since the socialist re-revolution details the ups and downs of Morales' term thus far.

In today's roundup: China, USA, Russia, Cuba, Ireland, EU and Zimbabwe. Photo of a water tank in Cuba from the Generation Y blog.

Here's Jehane Noujaim, at the 2006 TED Conference, explaining her wish, which became Pangea Day. It's long (25 mins), but about as inspiring as inspiring gets. Pangea Day takes place around the world this Saturday, May 10, and it's free, wherever you are.

You may know John Hodgman as the PC from Apple's PC vs. Mac commercials, or from his appearances on the Daily Show, or from his work as editor of the New York Times Magazine's Funny Pages. Add Pangea Day supporter to the list.

Today's roundup includes China, Turkmenistan, Gabon, Bolivia, Iran, and Kenya. Photo of demonstrators in La Paz, Bolivia, by Flickr user GafferBee.

A handful of the people involved with Why Democracy have been part of the team working on Pangea Day, a project with a beautiful ambition: using film to bring the world closer together.

Pangea Day takes place on May 10, and chances are very good that there's a screening happening near you - follow this link for screening events around the world. Throughout the week we'll put up new video clips as we count down to the main event.

In today's roundup: Burma, Bolivia, China, Kosovo, USA, Zimbabwe, and Haiti and the global food crisis. Photograph of children in Haiti by Flickr user sagabardon.

The Guardian's Jack Shenker writes about the use of online technologies in the struggle against Egypt's repressive regime.

In today's roundup: China, Tibet, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Iran, Nauru and the USA. Photo of pro-Tibet demonstration by Flickr user mejules.

The sad reality is that Zimbabwe’s downward spiral seems to be hitting new lows every day.

Robert Mugabe, a despot so astute in playing on the anti-colonial
sentiments of his younger democratic neighbours, has managed to
manipulate his skewered view of the world on a helpless country. 

In today's roundup: Zimbabwe, Egypt, Italy, Burma, Australia and China.

Photo of Pangsau, Burma, by Flickr user Artisteinconnu-back.

In today's roundup: Kenya, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Nepal, China and Italy.

In today's roundup: Zimbabwe, Uganda, China and the IOC, Burma, Nepal, Slovakia and the EU. Image of Zimbabwe abuse from Sokwanele's Flickr stream.

Asia: The Olympic torch relay moves to San Francisco, yet another venue for a growing protest against China's human rights abuses, treatment of Tibet and complicity in Darfur. This probably isn't exactly what China was hoping for. BBC also offers a point-counterpoint. In South Korea, turnout is low at parliamentary elections, in spite of freebies being used to lure voters to the polls. Some worry that Maoists in Nepal have been intimidating the population as it prepares to elect an assembly on Thursday that will create a new constitution. 

Africa: While Zimbabwe waits for election results, opposition party MDC says supporters of Robert Mugabe, including police and militia, are now attacking its members. Sokwanele has a first-person account from a volunteer who helped the MDC during the election. ANC leader Jacob Zuma slammed the delay in releasing results, while current President Thabo Mbeki was criticized for his stance. Kenya's opposition party has walked away from talks over forming a cabinet, prompting riots and fear of a return to the post-election chaos that gripped the country in January. Turnout at municipal elections in Egypt - which are rigged, as usual - has been low.

Caribbean: High food prices prompt mobs to attack the presidential palace in Haiti. 

As we, your trusted democracy bloggers, scour the internet for democracy related articles/news/ stories etc, we often come across pieces of text/video/ multimedia that keep us amused and inspired.
One video that has got a fair amount of attention (and well worth listening to) is a speech made by US Senator, Barack Obama on race issues in America.

Another (less serious) find is a website dedicated to democracy games. In a simple and fun way, issues surrounding citizenship and responsibility are explored in games such as “Councillor Quest II” and “Captain Campaign”. Enjoy!

Africa: Curiously, with official results still not released, Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party is demanding a recount. If this odd development does not indicate Mugabe's weakening hold, then perhaps the increasingly firm resistance by the MDC party -- including this letter by leader Morgan Tsvangirai to the Guardian -- does. My allusion to a cabinet agreement in Kenya last week proved premature, although the power-sharing leaders insist they're still working on it. In Egypt, long-running (and largely unreported in Western media) protests and demonstrations by striking textile workers led to police clashes.

Asia: More riots in Tibet, while thousands turned out to jeer the Olympic torch as it made the rounds of London (picture from Flickr user dantesinferno).

Further reading: The Guardian documents changes in Cuba, and in the NY Times Magazine, a journalist returns to Liberia.

Africa: Uncertainty reigns in Zimbabwe, where nobody really knows how many seats any party has won, officially or otherwise five days after the election. Nobody knows what Robert Mugabe is planning, either: some reports have him stepping down if he is guaranteed immunity, but raids on opposition offices yesterday might be an ominous sign. Uncertainty, at least, is better than violence and chaos. In Kenya, the power-sharing government has agreed on a cabinet, which the Standard labels "bloated" with 40 members. Again, bloating is surely better than violence and chaos.

Europe: In more violence and chaos news, nobody is very excited about the top Turkish court's decision to hear a case about banning the ruling party, president and prime minister because they allegedly threaten the country's secular foundations. 

Asia: China's plans for a shiny, happy Olympics that avoided all of those pesky human rights concerns are falling apart long before the opening ceremonies. First various Tibet-related protests, and now public figures are withdrawing from the torch relay, including the BBC's top journalist. See also this piece from the NY Times Magazine.