Category: Africa

Labor rights deteriorate, democracy diminished

     

Democratic institutions deteriorate when labor rights diminish, research suggests. Similarly, unions serve as what Harvard political scientist Robert Putnam calls “schools for democracy” and also tend to enhance democratization. In which… Read more »

Angola’s kleptocracy resisting greater scrutiny

     

Angola’s reconstruction and oil boom presented the politically connected — those with “relatives in the kitchen,” as Angolans say — with a golden opportunity for self-enrichment. In an economy driven… Read more »

How Africa’s unions enhance democratization

     

Trade unions in Africa contribute to democratization by acting as instruments of political socialization for their members, according to new research. Survey data from 22,000 respondents in 18 African countries… Read more »

Angolan activist’s prosecution is ‘retaliation’ for democracy award

     

Washington-based policy-makers on Capitol Hill and non-governmental groups alike are closely monitoring the prosecution of Angolan anti-corruption activist Rafael Marques, VOA reports. “Rafael was prosecuted in the past and imprisoned… Read more »

Democracy award winner charged with insulting Angola’s state

     

Two journalists in Angola face charges of insulting the state for an article about an allegedly unethical real estate deal involving the attorney general, The Associated Press reports: Rafael Marques… Read more »

Zimbabwe in Transition: Reform and Reconstruction

     

> A 2015 Contingency Planning Memorandum, “Political Instability in Zimbabwe,” highlighted the potential for violence in connection with leadership succession. And there are at least five areas of concern as… Read more »

Development and governance key to national security

     

Countering violent extremism and other national security priorities are advanced by the development of stable nations making progress on social development, economic growth, good governance and rule of law, say… Read more »

Anti-corruption activists prompt rare bipartisan unity

     

Activists fighting corruption across the world shared their stories on Capitol Hill, where they received recognition from the National Endowment for Democracy and pressed for support to continue their work…. Read more »