Word: dissented
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...repression stifles dissent, can absolute repression smother it entirely? South African State President P.W. Botha seemed intent on testing the proposition once again last week. Since declaring a state of emergency in June 1986, the Pretoria government has virtually stamped out violent protest in black townships that for more than two years seethed with unrest. Under the 1986 proclamation, some 30,000 activists were detained, while thousands more fled into hiding. With all outdoor meetings banned and political funerals tightly restricted, even the most determined antiapartheid groups were close to paralysis...
Organized dissent is nonexistent in such a tightly controlled society; in any case, deep-seated nationalism has cemented widespread, largely unquestioning loyalty to the system. The folksy Zhivkov, after nearly 34 years in power, remains remarkably popular, especially with rural Bulgarians, and is believed to be in good health. He has shown no inclination to move off the political stage but has hinted that he may retire within the next two years. No one knows whether that too is a reform that might be pushed back...
...Dissent in East Germany flows from a patchwork of diverse little groups whose aims sometimes conflict. Some seek immigration to the West; others want to stay and press for greater civil liberties; still others focus on environmental issues. The groups have received support and protection from East Germany's Protestant churches, which have enjoyed improved relations with the regime since Honecker met with church leaders...
...some performers, a contract in the West can never be more than a dream. Because the Communist Party exercises indirect control over cultural life in the bloc countries, even mild expressions of political dissent can be enough to deny sports stars as well as rock singers a passport. By the same token, mediocre talents boasting party membership often jump to the front of the line for jobs in the West. Explains a young Czechoslovak tennis player in Prague: "Here sports and culture are all part of politics...
...caucus night. Senior-citizen centers are frequent campaign stops, as most candidates vie to affirm their commitment to the sanctity of ever rising Social Security benefits. Only Babbitt, who advocates full taxation of benefits for the affluent, and Dole, who is willing to freeze cost of living adjustments, dissent from this united front of pandering politicians...