Posts by yudhvir

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.

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. 

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!

The global success of the Why Democracy? broadcasting event in October 2007 has spurred on the next exciting stage of the project. By utilising the films as an innovative learning tool in secondary and tertiary institutions, the Why Democracy? project is working on an outreach programme in which the films can be used to stimulate a discussion about democracy among critically-minded students. We are also reaching out to NGOs and trying to establish a network of organisations and a series of seminars in which the films can be shown and discussed.

Watch this space for further details.

Recent global events have demonstrated that the topics dealt with in the Why Democracy? Films have a tendency to occupy news headlines around the world.

A recent example is an audio message supposedly made by Osama Bin Laden threatening the EU over the re-printing of the Prophet Muhammad cartoons in all major Danish newspapers.

In another story, a rare letter from a Guantanamo Bay detainee has been published outlining the harsh conditions suffered by terrorist suspects. Alex Gibney's Taxi To The Dark Side may have shed some light on the treatment of detainees, but this treatment continues to dismantle any attempt at a global human rights framework.

Is Democracy Good For Everyone?

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Since today sees an end to our 10 questions feature, it is only fitting that we end with a question that is at the heart of this project. Over the last few months, the Democracy House has been attempting to start a global debate about democracy. Our efforts have not been in vain as our forums have had constant activity. Our channels on YouTube, MySpace, Facebook and Flickr have had substantial interaction making the Why Democracy? project a resounding success.

Through these various discussions, the question of the day has been answered many times and on a number of levels. We have ultimately left it up to our readers to discuss whether democracy is indeed good for everyone. The answer after reading hundreds of contributions? Undecided!

With regard to the question of the day, one group of worthy candidates has to be The Elders.

Their website states that "out of deep concern for the challenges currently facing all of the people of our world, Nelson
Mandela, Graça Machel and Desmond Tutu have convened a group of leaders to contribute
their wisdom, independent leadership and integrity to tackling some of the world's toughest
problems."

Some of the leaders include Jimmy Carter, Li Zhaoxing, Kofi Annan and Muhammad Yunus.

Who would you vote for as the president of the world?
I don’t think it’s realistic to think about. I can't imagine there would be a global president, but if I would have to choose, if I had to vote, it might be the United Nations High Commission of the human rights reservoir, the former chief prosecutor at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.

We asked all sorts of people -- authors, athletes, movie stars, politicians, thinkers, workers, dreamers -- ten tough questions about democracy. We will publish many of the answers on this page, with new ones every day. Be sure to tell us what you think in the forums.

See today also:
10 Questions: Mário Soares - Former President of the Portugese Republic 1986-1996
10 Questions: Adil Tiscatti - Santa Teresa Cinema Founder (Brazil)
10 Questions: Jaakko Jakkila - Unemployed (Finland)