Stories about Governance from February, 2007
Slovenia: The Erased
The Glory of Carniola reports on a rather surreal bureaucratic mishap: “This week marks the 15th anniversary of a now infamous moment in Slovenian history: the removal of 18,000 people from Slovenia’s permanent registry of citizens.”
Poland: McDonald's Sales; Rospuda Bypass
The beatroot writes about Prince Charles’ McDonald's comment and the Polish First Lady's views on the planned Rospuda bypass.
Iran:Economic illusions of Iranian Goverment
Jomhour says that Iranian goverment failed to accomplish its economic promises such as fighting against poverty. According to the blogger, goverment has no reason to accuse “enemy” for its economic failure because 90 percent of country's economy is in the hands of goverment[Fa].
Bangladesh: Pseudo Innovation in Dhaka
Unheard Voices points to a an article in Himal on military and governance. “As Dhaka’s military-backed interim government gets on with its anti-corruption agenda amid cautious cheers from the public, Bangladeshis at home and abroad are arguing over what kind of government system can both be functional and deliver for...
Myanmar: A Glimpse of the New Capital City
Fifty Viss links to a post by an Indian journalist who took some pictures of the mysterious new capital city of Myanmar. The government moved the capital last year from Rangoon to Naypyidaw in a surprise move and people are still speculating over the reasons of the move.
Honduras: Operation Scissors
“La Gringa” describes how Honduran President Mel Zelaya is trying to literally cut corruption with “Operation Scissors.”
Uzbekistan: Plight of the Merchants
Registan.net discusses the plight of Uzbekistan's merchants. Despite recent changes that should make trade easier and more profitable, cross-border traders still face numerous difficulties as a result of police harassment and high taxes.
Poland: On “The Lives of Others”
Traveling Life writes this about the foreign film that got this year's Oscar: “Anyway, Lives of Others did make me appreciate a little more the hate felt by many towards the proponents and tools of the old systems. Even I can remember my mother being taken in for questioning to...
Albania: Post-Election Situation
Our Man In Tirana writes about the post-election situation in Albania: “One week on from the elections we are still waiting for the final results. The process of counting has been incredibly slow – in many cases this seems to have been a deliberate ploy. It was only when counting...
Senegal: Thumbs Down for the Minister of Justice
Semett alleges that (Fr): “The justice minister … has unjustly broken into the voting center at Ndatté Yalla, in Saint Louis, while votes were being counted and his men have spread chaos in this republican space. They have pushed around the center's managing team and this, in front of police...
China: Government study tours questioned
Somewhat related to this recent post, Sichuan province Writer's Association member and Strong China blogger Li Hongzhi looks at a recent decision from the organizational department of the provincial Communist Party which limits government leaders’ training trips abroad. Chinese teachers go abroad to experience and learn, as do liberal intellectuals...
Senegal: Voting Process Report Card
Semett ‘s voting process report card (Fr): “The Presidential election took place peacefully and with a participation rate estimated at 70% by the vote's organizers. The electoral body went from 2 to 5 million. More than 2,000 observers were deployed. Generally, the voting process has been positively evaluated and Senegalese...
Tunisia, France: How To Wash the Dirty Laundry At Home
Mouwaten Tounsi deplores (Fr) that ex-Tunisian diplomat Khaled Ben Saïd is being judged in France for torture. He would have liked Ben Saïd judged in Tunisia. He proposes a reconciliation-based justice. The process would focus on indemnification of torture victims by the government rather than on prosecution of officials who...
Saudi Arabia: Government Cracking Down on Bloggers, New Saudi Ambassador to US, and More
A Press frenzy over Saudi school curriculums, a govermental campaign targeting a number of male Saudi bloggers, Anna Nicole Smith, Kareem Amer, forced divorces, a new government program to fight corruption, and much more are keeping the Saudi blogosphere lively. Khloud did a great job at summarizing a recent BBC...
Poland: “Tree Huggers Versus Cross Huggers”
The beatroot writes: “Protests turn weird as the religious in Poland turn up to demonstrate against environmentalists. It’s almost enough to make me turn into a tree hugger!”
Latvia: Alexei Ledyaev
Marginalia writes about a Russophone Latvian “self-described ‘apostle'” who “has suggested replacing Latvia's constitution, the Satversme, with the Ten Commandments, introducing Christian totalitarianism, and ‘humbling all liberals and homosexuals’.”
Russia: Nashi “Hunt the Dollar” in Kaliningrad
“…the strong rouble message is obviously good for Russian’s self-esteem,” writes Copydude (and the weak dollar news is probably even better): more on the “Hunt The Dollar” spectacle by the Kaliningrad's Nashi branch is here.
Russia: Post-Putin Future Discussed
Scraps of Moscow, Sean's Russia Blog, and Robert Amsterdam discuss this New York Times Magazine piece on Russia's post-Putin future.
Senegal Elections: Towards Another Wade Term?
“Senegal Wants Its Freedom Back” headline. By R-Nesto. Yesterday was election day in Senegal. A campaign marked by some violent clashes started about a month ago and most of the Senegalese bloggers were hoping to see the incumbent, PDS [Social Democratic Party] leader Abdoulaye Wade, defeated. Wade has been in...
Bangladesh: Arrested, now what?
Unheard Voices points out that while big players were arrested in Bangladesh, the consequences are yet to be known. “As the initial euphoria over the arrested political leaders dies down, concerns are now seriously beginning to crepe in whether due process is being followed to prosecute these people. While some...
