Word: authoritarianism
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...Even as China's leaders become communist in name only, they have no intention of letting go of their tight grip on the reins of power. The experience of South Korea, Indonesia and even Taiwan shows that the expansion of prosperity under the tutelage of authoritarian regimes tends to cultivate the seeds of democracy. But the process can take decades. And it'll be a bumpy ride...
...Turkish authorities have responded to the mounting challenge of political Islam by enforcing a form of authoritarian secularism in the political process, seeking to curb even moderate Islamic parties. "The poor government response to the quake may help the Islamists, who appeal to people who are alienated and are extremely good at winning supporters by providing welfare," says TIME correspondent Lisa Beyer from Istanbul. "On the other hand, this government has only been in power for only three months, and its not as if the Islamists aren?t equally responsible for allowing poor construction in municipalities under their control...
...With the two camps squaring off for what may be a decisive parliamentary election next year, hard-liners may be tempted to provoke chaos in order to scare voters away from reform, or to justify a further tightening of authoritarian social control. "Provoking confrontation could cut the ground out from under Khatami," says TIME correspondent William Dowell. "But it?s a risky course, because it could eventually leave the hard-liners facing a unified rebellion from the population." Monday?s protests went ahead despite an order by Tehran?s National Security Council forbidding demonstrations without official permission. And as much...
...world's most famous political dissident and ultimately the inspiration for the democratic movement that doomed the Soviet empire. Sakharov realized that the ideals he had pursued as a scientist--compassion, freedom, truth--could not coexist with the specter of the arms race or thrive under the authoritarian grip of state communism. "That was probably the most terrible lesson of my life," he wrote. "You can't sit on two chairs at once...
...effectively run the government since being anointed by Mandela as his successor two years ago. Although the former ANC diplomat?s competence is unimpeachable, the South African media is awash with speculation about whether Mbeki is an Africanist ideologue or a pragmatist, a democrat or an authoritarian. But with media interviews extremely rare and leaks from his inner circle unheard of, almost everything written about Mbeki is entirely speculative. Suffice it to say that in light of Mbeki's effective governance of the country for much of Mandela?s tenure, it's likely there will be more continuity than change...