Australia

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

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

According to John Keane, a professor of politics at the University of Westminster, Italy and Australia are turning back the clock on Democracy.

Keane tells ABC NEWS that voters are becoming disillusioned with democracy and politicians, and for the first time in a generation we are seeing an organized opposition to democracy.

Professor Keane believes that after 1945 democracy took on a new role, defined by three developments. First of all, democracy was implemented globally, amongst others in India. Secondly, America became the first global power that acted in the name of democracy. Thirdly, a hoard of institutions were set up to keep checks and balances on the people in power.

In recent years, the world has become disillusioned with the American crusade for democracy and critics have pointed to the short-commings of democracy in many parts of the world. Opposition to democracy still act in the name of the people. However, they use this disillusionment to revoke democratic institutions in their own countries.

Keane points to Italy and Australia as troubling examples of this trend. He argues that in these societies, the basic rules of democracy have changed. The political systems supports winning as many elections as possible. They discourage public debate and opposition and enforce the idea that parliament makes laws for people to follow.

Keane says that "This is not democracy, this is a bowdlerisation and degradation of democracy."

Australia's Prime Minister John Howard is facing his fifth re-election and another three-year term on the post. He also announced today, that in case of a re-election he is planning to retire before his next term as Prime Minister ends while the public opinion considers his retirement before the elections to give national politics momentum.

Read more about the change of Australian politics in the International Herald Tribune and join the debate in our forums: Who rules the world?