Will Ethiopia’s liberalization spin out of control?
Ethiopian premier Abiy Ahmed’s first 10 months in office have been remarkable by the yardstick of any leader around the world. In that time, he has overseen the swiftest political… Read more »
Category: Economic Reform
Tunisia’s resilient democracy ‘at a critical inflection point’
Thousands gathered Monday in Tunisia’s capital as the country marked eight years since a democratic uprising ousted its long-time strongman. The rally came amid deepening economic troubles in the… Read more »
Populist performance ‘uncomfortable for democracy advocates’
In the Group of 20, just 32 percent of gross domestic product is controlled by mainstream democratic parties, down from 83 percent in 2007. Over the same period, the power… Read more »
Western Balkans vulnerable to ‘corrosive capital?’
Malign outside influence in the Western Balkans, in particular by Russia, is of increasing concern. The lack of a strong legal framework makes countries in the region especially vulnerable to… Read more »
China’s Solitary Development Model – ‘fundamentally deficient, not easily reproducible’
Chinese President Xi Jinping may be consolidating his power following the 19th Party Congress, because he believes China is facing its most challenging period, a U.S. analyst said Monday, UPI reports: Andrew… Read more »
Ukraine’s ‘double existential threat’ – West’s credibility at stake
The West’s credibility and cohesion are at stake in Ukraine, according to a new analysis from Chatham House, the London-based foreign policy think-tank. The international community has invested heavily in… Read more »
Corruption, poor economy, illiberalism threaten Tunisia’s exceptionalism
Poor economic conditions and corruption are at the source of intense public dissatisfaction in Tunisia, according to a new poll by the International Republican Institute’s (IRI) Center for Insights in Survey Research:… Read more »
Corruption: the last hurdle for Ukraine’s recovery
Ukraine has made remarkable progress, positioning the economy for strong growth. But, as is so often the case in post-Soviet states, old-school clientelism could quickly smother the promise of… Read more »
‘Strongman trades trump democratic deficits’: why are illiberal democrats popular?
Poland’s tightening grip on its judiciary has prompted nationwide protests and threats of European sanctions, but its asset prices and currency have soared this year as they have in plenty… Read more »
How to solve a problem like North Korea
North Koreans are becoming more independent of the ruling Kim regime, with the vast majority of households earning their living through markets rather than relying on the state, according to… Read more »