 “The only thing we learn from new elections is we learned nothing from the old”. Although this is an American proverb of unknown source, it has some universal weight. Thinking-East’s editors introduce the special edition.
Dear Reader,
Elections are one of the pillars of democracy, but their mere conduct does not mean a state can truly claim it is democratic. Central Asia offers an interesting case-study. The region has had a mixed record on democratic development during the relatively short span of independence since 1991; and recent elections as well as the ones ahead offer a worthwhile reason for Thinking-East to shed some light on the region’s prospects.
Debate: The sky is so big and our lives are so small
Could there be a “colour revolution” in Uzbekistan as there was in the Ukraine and Georgia? Olesya Rhyzova (20, Uzbekistan) and Benjamin Paarmann (23, Germany), two children of Soviet imperialism, engage in an Email dialogue which sheds light on the hopelessness and submissiveness endemic throughout Uzbek society, and the inapplicability of Western ideas. Yet, there is also a breath of hope which prevails.
Analysis: Tajik elections need international support
Vote rigging is only one tool to alter the outcome of elections. More subtle and less evident are encroachments that occur during the preceding election campaign. The international community could help avert a crisis in the making, says Daler Rahimov (23) in Dushanbe.
Opinion: When the status quo is to be preferred
Bek Zhan (22) from Kazakhstan says that despite all their shortcomings, the present elites currently have no alternative.
Background: Kyrgyzstan – the sinking island of democracy
Kyrgyzstan’s election year has scarcely begun, but protests are already heating up in the sleepy capital Bishkek. Ben Paarmann (23) provides background information on the country.
Also on Thinking-East:
Iraq: Revolution of the ballot?
The stained fingers of Iraqis write their victory over terrorist threats: “If people one day decide to live, all chains must break loose", say Friends of Democracy from Baghdad. Amidst the joy, though, concerns arise in Al Hamadaniyah.
Monsters in the Shadows of a Palestinian Plebiscite
Neither the Arab nor Western mass-medias dared discuss the true significance, politically and metaphorically, of the January 9th elections in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The only news sources that were brave enough to mention the real value of the elections were those of the Palestinians and Israelis. The reason, explains Christopher Schwartz (23), is that what drives Israelis and Palestinians is not lust for temporal power but sorrow.
With this special issue being released, there are also other innovations being put into place on www.thinking-east.net:
FORUMS: Have your say!
Our new forums offer our authors to respond directly to questions and comments from our readers; and allow space for interesting discussions.
NEWSLETTER: Stay in touch!
You will be among the first to know whenever a new issue of Thinking-East.Net is published on the website. Sign up here.
E-PAPER: Read in style!
For all of you that prefer well laid-out texts to reading long articles on screen, we have the solution: Print out single articles or the whole issue, all made easy with our new PDFs. Download the E-Paper of Issue 1.5 “Elections: Stagnation and Change”.
We hope that you will make use of these new features and enjoy reading our new articles.
Thinking-East is run by young academics for young academics. If you want to contribute or know potentially interested individuals, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Stay tuned for Thinking-East’s next edition to be published in March 2005.
Yours sincerely,
Benjamin Paarmann and Christopher Schwartz
Editors
Thinking-East |
