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8182. Reflections on Nigeria’s Elections: Threats, potential outcomes and relevance to democracy in West Africa
- Author:
- Paul Osei-Kuffour
- Publication Date:
- 02-2023
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Ghana Center for Democratic Development
- Abstract:
- The upcoming presidential election in Nigeria has generated huge interest and enthusiasm within the sub-region. The election has been described as the most competitive since returning to multi-party democracy in 1999. This paper reflects on the prevailing context barely one month into the election. It discusses the relevance of the election to the sub-region, major reforms around the election and why it is receiving enormous attention in Nigeria and the whole of West Africa. It concludes with an analysis of the factors shaping the potential outcome of the election.
- Topic:
- Reform, Elections, Democracy, and Domestic Politics
- Political Geography:
- Africa, West Africa, and Nigeria
8183. The Democratic Quality of Primaries in Ghana: A Look at the 2020 NPP Internal Party Elections
- Author:
- Gildfred Boateng Asiamah, Francisca Sarpong Owusu, and Alfred Torsu
- Publication Date:
- 04-2023
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Ghana Center for Democratic Development
- Abstract:
- In Ghana, political party primaries are not only a democratic imperative but also a constitutional requirement. However, no laws regulate the conduct of political party primaries in Ghana. Even the involvement of the national election management body, the Electoral Commission (EC), is limited to the counting and declaration of votes. This paper shares insights on the extent to which the parliamentary primaries conform to fundamental principles of democratic elections and identifies the mechanisms that party executives and leadership use to circumvent the democratic processes.
- Topic:
- Elections, Democracy, Political Parties, and Parliament
- Political Geography:
- Africa and Ghana
8184. Why Democracies Implement Better Climate Actions: Case Study of India, the Philippines, and Japan
- Author:
- Niranjan Sahoo and Jisoo Park
- Publication Date:
- 07-2023
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- East Asia Institute (EAI)
- Abstract:
- Asia is the most populous and one of the most climate-vulnerable regions in the world. Long coastline, vast low lying areas comprising many small island nations make it highly susceptible to climate change such as rising sea level and extreme weather events like floods, landslides. For many critics, democracies' response to climate change is much impeded due to their slow decision-making process and short-termism governed by electoral compulsions. Some analysts go as far as to claim that authoritarianism is needed to tackle the crisis more effectively. However, close examination of different governance structure's climate actions strongly supports that democracies are inherently better at handling climate crisis compared to authoritarian regimes. This article explores the multifaceted impact of climate change to democracy and delves into the case studies of India, the Philippines, and Japan to identify strengths as well as areas of improvement that democracies should consider to establish meaningful climate actions.
- Topic:
- Climate Change, Authoritarianism, Democracy, and Accountability
- Political Geography:
- Japan, India, Asia, and Philippines
8185. Australia’s Role Supporting Democracies as a Middle Power
- Author:
- Michael J. Green and Victoria Cooper
- Publication Date:
- 07-2023
- Content Type:
- Commentary and Analysis
- Institution:
- East Asia Institute (EAI)
- Abstract:
- Michael J. Green (Professor and CEO of the United States Study Centre (USSC) in Sydney) and Victoria Cooper (Research Editor at the USSC) analyze Australia’s strengths as a middle power in the face of Beijing’s pressure campaign, and offer areas of regional cooperation that like-minded countries, including Australia, can build upon in order to defend democracy against authoritarian regimes. While acknowledging the limited capacity of Australia to independently counter Beijing’s illiberal behavior, the authors argue that through the expansion of development initiatives, promotion of women’s empowerment, and anti-corruption drives, Canberra can play a key role in leading multilateral efforts to promote democratic resilience in the region.
- Topic:
- Diplomacy, Statecraft, Middle Power, and Regional Politics
- Political Geography:
- China, Asia, and Australia
8186. Shifting Paradigms: The Rise of the Move Forward Party and the Changing Face of Thai Democracy
- Author:
- Napon Jatusripitak
- Publication Date:
- 06-2023
- Content Type:
- Commentary and Analysis
- Institution:
- East Asia Institute (EAI)
- Abstract:
- In light of the 2023 general election in Thailand that delivered a surprise victory for the progressive Move Forward Party (MFP), Napon Jatusripitak, a visiting research fellow at the ISEAS ? Yusof Ishak Institute, analyzes the shifting political dynamics in the country and explains the key to MFP’s success. With the election outcome reflecting public’s heightened awareness and desire for political participation and citizen engagement, Thai politics seems prepared for transition from the conservative status quo. Nevertheless, Jatusripitak emphasizes that a sustainable change in domestic governance depends on the MFP’s capacity to carry out the drive for democracy and the conservative establishment’s willingness to accept and adjust.
- Topic:
- Elections, Democracy, Social Media, Political Parties, and Civic Engagement
- Political Geography:
- Thailand and Southeast Asia
8187. The Demise of ‘Hybrid’ Democracy in Pakistan: Case of Ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Arrest
- Author:
- Haider Kaleem
- Publication Date:
- 06-2023
- Content Type:
- Commentary and Analysis
- Institution:
- East Asia Institute (EAI)
- Abstract:
- Following the arrest of Pakistan`s former Prime Minister Imran Khan, social unrest and civil-military tension continue to grip the country. Haider Kaleem, a development researcher and journalist in Pakistan, attributes the current democratic crisis to the longstanding practice of military intervention in the country`s political affairs. Pointing out that the general mass is not adequately represented in the political discussions, Kaleem argues that Pakistan`s democracy will remain impaired until the power to form or dismantle regimes is transferred from the military to the hands of the people.
- Topic:
- Democracy, Domestic Politics, Civil-Military Relations, Civil Unrest, and Imran Khan
- Political Geography:
- Pakistan and South Asia
8188. Recent Defamation Case and Mounting State Onslaughts Against Political Opposition in India
- Author:
- Niranjan Sahoo
- Publication Date:
- 05-2023
- Content Type:
- Commentary and Analysis
- Institution:
- East Asia Institute (EAI)
- Abstract:
- Niranjan Sahoo, a Senior Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), assesses the current state of political opposition in India. Highlighting the recent defamation case against the key opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, Sahoo points out that the current Bharatiya Janata Party government has consistently deployed state agencies and has taken advantage of its brute majority in the lower house of Parliament to weaken and silence the opposition voice. Questioning the sustainability of this rare occasion of unity among the opposition parties over Mr. Gandhi`s disqualification, Sahoo paints a grim outlook for India’s democracy should the marginalization of opposition voices continue.
- Topic:
- Democracy, Domestic Politics, Narendra Modi, Opposition, and Defamation
- Political Geography:
- South Asia and India
8189. Japan’s Gradual Move to Address Technological Challenges to Democracy
- Author:
- Maiko Ichihara
- Publication Date:
- 04-2023
- Content Type:
- Commentary and Analysis
- Institution:
- East Asia Institute (EAI)
- Abstract:
- Maiko Ichihara, a professor at Hitotsubashi University Graduate School of Law, explores the challenges that technological advancements pose to democracy and analyzes Japan’s recent efforts to regulate disinformation and protect private data. Despite the absence of global regulations on digital technology, Ichihara highlights Japan’s domestic fact-checking efforts as well as its multilateral initiatives with G7 to create action plans promoting international cooperation against disinformation and data privacy abuse. In order to bolster democracy in the digital realm, she advocates for a proactive development of counter-narratives to fake news on social media.
- Topic:
- Science and Technology, Democracy, Regulation, Privacy, Social Media, G7, Disinformation, Data Collection, and Digital Space
- Political Geography:
- Japan and Asia
8190. Upcoming Elections and Political Turmoil in Pakistan
- Author:
- Ahmed Bilal Mehboob
- Publication Date:
- 03-2023
- Content Type:
- Commentary and Analysis
- Institution:
- East Asia Institute (EAI)
- Abstract:
- As the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) delayed a key provincial election due to financial and security-related issues, a potential constitutional crisis looms over the country. In light of the deepening political turmoil in Pakistan, Ahmed Bilal Mehboob explores how this crisis has developed and offers a grim outlook of holding a free and fair election this year. Mehboob argues that the former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s audacious move to seek fresh elections to both the National and Provincial Assemblies have exacerbated party polarization, and Supreme Court decisions for the court cases are unlikely to be fully enforced due to such divide. Mehboob warns that prolonged political crisis may induce military intervention to restore order so that the elections could be pushed ahead.
- Topic:
- Elections, Democracy, Constitution, Domestic Politics, Supreme Court, and Imran Khan
- Political Geography:
- Pakistan and South Asia