How dictatorships end“The End of the Regime: How Three European Dictatorships Ended,” is not about Russia or Vladimir Putin. It’s about three dictatorships — those of Francisco Franco in Spain, Antonio Salazar in Portugal and the colonels in Greece — and how those countries became democracies, notes a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
A large number of Russians haven’t suddenly taken an interest in the history of 20th-century Southern Europe. Rather, discussions of the book have common themes: How do prolonged right-wing dictatorships end? And can Russia become a democracy? he writes for The Times. RTWT
Central Asia: Leveraging Geopolitical Opportunities to Promote Human Rights and Reform: Thursday, May 4 · 5 – 6:30pm EDT
As Central Asia faces twin international threats of Russian aggression and Chinese expansion, domestically citizens are increasingly vocal in their demands for reform, accountability, and representation. Regional leaders realize that deeper integration with the West can provide solutions to these challenges, promoting economic development and securing national sovereignty but they are fearful of reforms that may undermine the authoritarian basis of their rule.
How can human rights activists work with international partners—in civil society and in government—to find leverage points to encourage Central Asian leaders to improve human rights, introduce reforms, and—eventually—embark on a path towards democratization? How can local civil society, international NGOs, and Western governments play complementary roles in this process? What are the main opportunities today and how can we pursue them?
PANELISTS
Damon Wilson—President and CEO, National Endowment for Democracy, opening remarks
Yevgeniy Zhovtis—Director, Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights
Timur Karpov—Founder, 139 Documentary Center
Sebastien Peyrouse—Research Professor, Elliott School of Public Affairs, George Washington University
Spaska Gatzinska—Deputy Director for Eurasia, National Endowment for Democracy, moderator
