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In contrast to the altruism of the young men and women of the early days of the uprising in Libya, the political opportunism of the mini-Gadaitis who have emerged since, [...]

The views of Oregon governor Ted Kulongoski and former governors Barbara Roberts and Vic Atyeh on the state's reform initiative system are presented. Kulongoski said the system has crippled the state's ability to budget. Roberts, on the other hand, said businesses have taken advantage of the system.

Not so long ago, the National Consumer Council decided that some shops on railway stations were selling chocolate bars too cheaply and that the public should, for its own protection, [...]

Except for the great William Rees-Mogg, no commentator seems to have noticed that Gordon Brown's Bill to 'clean up politics' is about to remove the liberty of Parliament. 'Res ipsa [...]

This is a column about the reform of the House of Lords. I have a hunch it might not look like one, probably until pretty much the end, but that […]

The National Democratic Institute (NDI) held a Nov. 14 briefing in Washington, DC on the Kingdom of Bahrain's recent elections. NDI Director Leslie Campbell introduced members of the Institute's unofficial [...]

Boris Yeltsin's victory in the 1996 presidential elections gave a major boost to Russian pro-reform forces. The victory showed that Russians see a brighter future in continued political and economic reform rather than in a return to communism. However, Russia's short-term future remains uncertain. Investors are still stumped over tax and legal complications, and questions as to the true health of Yeltsin abound.

The impression most people have of Capitol Hill is one of grim lawmakers chained to their desks, swilling black coffee as they solemnly push through the Republican "Contract With America." […]

The success of Mexico's presidential and congressional elections signals a bright future for the country. Observers were generally impressed with the conduct of the electoral process, which can be considered one of the cleanest in Mexico's history despite some isolated cases of improprieties and violence. More importantly, the elections demonstrated Mexicans' ardent desire for political reform and economic growth.

Chief of mission Bradley Babson of the World Bank regional headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand, is optimistic that Vietnam will post a real growth rate of 8% provided reforms and foreign development assistance continue. Specifically, he cited the need for infrastructural, financial banking and legal reforms and for reducing red tape confronted by foreign businessmen. A World Bank report also stressed that realizing the country's growth potential would depend on incentives for private saving and investment, higher government savings and foreign aid.

Mexican Pres Carlos Salinas de Gortari should implement political reforms and modernize the political system to restore stability in Mexico. Mexico seemed to be primed for economic growth and stability, until the economy shrank and civil unrest and violence erupted due to the government's lack of sincerity in improving the electoral process and inability to fulfill its promises to its citizens. To restore order, Mexico's leaders should immediately address the many social problems and imbalances affecting the country and at the same time make the economy grow.

Pressure from domestic and international sources have mounted for Pres Hastings Kamuzu Banda to institute democratic political reforms. Catholic Bishops have issued a pastoral letter calling for reforms. Likewise, foreign aid donors have also shown their support for the reform movement by suspending development aid worth $75 million. The government has shown token compliance by releasing 60 political detainess but Amnesty International has reported an increase in the number of arrests.