Word: authoritarianism
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...weeks, the general has been desperately trying to avoid extradition to Spain where he faces a series of serious criminal charges stemming from his years of authoritarian rule. A continued stay in the hospital had obviously helped the General pursue his strategy of fight and delay, but no more: His next British court date is set for December 11. For the now-well patient, it may be time -- if not to open all the dossiers -- at least to open all the windows and welcome in that London...
While Malaysia thrived, few complained about Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's authoritarian inclinations. But the Asian economic downturn has thrown his tactics into new focus. He has come under heavy criticism for his treatment of Anwar Ibrahim, his reformist former deputy, who now sits in Sungai Buloh prison accused of sexual improprieties and corruption, charges Anwar and others in the opposition say are trumped up. President Clinton, who visits Malaysia next week, will avoid meeting Mahathir, partly in response to Anwar's detention. This interview, in which Anwar, pictured at right, responded to written questions, was smuggled out to TIME...
JAKARTA, Indonesia: How do you force an authoritarian regime to change its ways? Indonesians are using the only leverage they have: chaos. As the country's ruling elite huddles in Parliament, loudly promising a transition to democracy but hoping to cede as little power as possible, protesters outside the building Thursday grew to an unruly throng of 20,000 that clashed with overmatched police and left dozens injured. "They're trying to push their rulers toward genuine reforms," says TIME correspondent William Dowell, "with the threat of a widespread uprising...
...even in the midst of famine. This political observation gave rise to what might be called Sen's Law: shortfalls in food supply do not cause widespread deaths in a democracy because vote-seeking politicians will undertake relief efforts; but even modest food shortfalls can create deadly famines in authoritarian societies...
More ominously, the much heralded march of market economies and democratization is stalling. Russia is tempted to return to a command economy and strongman rule. The authoritarian impulses of leaders like Malaysia's Mahathir are showing the ugly side of the "Asian values" that were touted as a ticket to prosperity and order. Instead of standing tall, the world's leaders seem hunkered down, adopting timid defensive measures rather than the forceful steps each nation needs. In every country there are very difficult domestic politics that confine leaders, and globalization surely makes life more difficult for statesmanship. To some extent...