Abstract
In assessing Russia's progress towards democracy, the quality of Russian democracy, and the effective functioning of Russian institutions, it is evident that after a promising start in the aftermath of the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia is degenerating back into authoritarianism. Democracy began to fail more than a decade ago during Boris Yeltsin's presidency, mainly because of incompetence and inexperience with democratic institutions and electoral processes, but it is failing today under Vladimir Putin primarily because this former KGB chairman and the authoritarians in his government do not want democratization to succeed in Russia.

From the Paper
Democratic Audit: An Analysis of Democracy in Russia In assessing Russia's progress towards democracy, the quality of Russian democracy, and the effective functioning of Russian institutions, it is evident that after a promising start in the aftermath of the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia is degenerating back into authoritarianism. Democracy began to fail more than a decade ago during Boris Yeltsin's presidency, mainly because of incompetence and inexperience with democratic institutions and electoral processes, but it is failing today

Tags:democracy, in, russia

Abstract
In this paper, the writer proposes that education is a vital tool if democracy is to develop and prosper. The paper states that education represents an essential instrument that a government, a country, and even an individual, can posses and must constantly improve on and that it represents the future of a nation. The paper continues and contends that adult education as a means of achieving democracy can be said to be one of the most important tools a state government can make use of in order to establish and develop a system based on the rule of law and democratic principles. The paper specifically examines two areas of the world where concerted efforts have been made to improve adult education in order to strengthen democratic values - South and Latin America and South Africa.

From the Paper
"This is an important factor in the evolution of the democracy because it offers the older generation the possibility to reconsider their position inside a society which is constantly changing. Taking into account the fact that the younger generation is already on a different set of values, it is important to reduce this gap. Thus, adult education represents a set of norms which aim precisely at reducing this difference. Initiatives in this sense relate to actions addressing the basic levels of knowledge up to the highest ones. Thus, nongovernmental organizations as well as different international organizations address illiteracy among Latin Americans (Torres, 1990), one of the first steps towards achieving a more educated society. At the same time, the idea of eradicating illiteracy has also an impact on the way in which people receive information or get in contact with analysis and interpretations of different political evolution. It can be said therefore that another reason for which leaders such as Chavez of Castro are still in the frontline of international politics is the lack of access to information and at the same time the limited knowledge of the actual meaning of that information."

Tags:democracy, brazil, education, culture, civilization, government, oppressed, authoritarian, college, learning, political, school, mandela

Abstract
The following paper examines the factors that contributed to socio-economic problems in Latin America in the past , as well as looks at the sustainability of democracy in Latin America. This paper discusses the significant socio-economic difficulties based upon the faltering economies of larger trading partners, income inequality, political polarization and corruption. The writer examines how in the past dictators cared more for maintaining their own power and the privilege of their own supporters than they did for the welfare of their people and countries. The writer argues that the success and continuation of democracy depends on the patience of the people to see the long-term results of regional initiatives. This paper contends that if people support the type of government that promotes the satisfaction of the most basic of needs, well-fed and employed people will not initiate revolutions.

From the Paper
"Going into the new millennium, Latin America seems to be poised for active participation as a part of an increasingly global social and economic environment, perhaps more than other developing regions. According to the current Bush Administration, it is virtually all democratic, there are no cross-border disputes, no ethnic conflicts, and there are no immediate threats of terrorism to the West coming from the area (Associated Press, 2002).Security cooperation has been shown in confidence-building measures among historical rivals in the region and peacekeeping operations in Central America and the Caribbean. Terms such as multilateralism, regionalism, consensus, and convergence appear in descriptions of hemispheric relations released by the World Bank and other entities sharing a belief in the positive potential of these factors."

Tags:summits, regional, policy, solidify, common, principles, priorities, strengthening, democracy, education, sustainable, promoting, free, trade, development

Abstract
The paper discusses democracy and states that democracy is the best form of political construction for both government and governance as there is no other system that is capable of guarding against authoritarian despotism and all the unfortunate characteristics that accompany it. The author of the paper feels it is fair to conclude that the desirability of democracy in developing countries is unquestionable but questions whether it is achievable. The paper thus focuses far more on whether democracy is achievable in developing countries rather than whether it is desirable. The paper states that there currently exists a growing number who consider democracy in any form to be abhorrent and this belief is often espoused by the proponents of Islamic fundamentalism. The paper then gives brief consideration to this issue and to the impact it has on the global spread of democracy. The paper concludes that a secure democracy is a positive basis on which to construct political and social life.

From the Paper
"The fundamental tenets of social democracy, as laid down by Huber et al is I believe the base line of what we should consider to be fully a formed and sustainable democratic system. The question that logically follows from this must be, is social democracy in developing countries achievable? I believe that it is, provided that its emergence and progress is nurtured by a profound wish to improve the lives of ordinary people, a process that cannot be rushed. It is when such foundations are sacrificed in order to maintain the economic, strategic and political interests of the world's leading democracies that the process is impeded. Similarly, quick fix solutions, however well motivated are not the answer. The developed democracies have an opportunity to play an enormously positive role in the spread of social democracy in the worlds less fortunate nations, an opportunity that is being squandered."

Tags:equal, franchise, Islamic, fundamentalism, global, economic, forces

Abstract
This paper examines the bumpy road to democracy in Latin America. It explains how, in a region with a long history of autocratic rule, democracy is a relatively new concept and must prove to be more favorable than authoritarian rule. The paper concludes that, because of the effects of transition and international intervention legacies, full democracy has not been meaningfully incorporated into Latin American political culture.

From the Paper
"For the past three decades, Latin America has experienced a steady wave of democratization. While most countries in the region are currently considered democratic, they continue to be plagued with economic instability, violations of human rights and government corruption. Latin American leaders are generally chosen by free elections, but elections alone do not constitute a full democracy. A fully democratic government must be able to protect their civilians' basic rights and meet the demands of the popular will. The less-than-ideal quality of present-day Latin American democracy can be attributed to the manner in which democratic regimes assumed power, the role of international influences and the actual performance of democratic governments."

Tags:political, science, developing, countries, third-world, goverment

Abstract
The writer of this paper details the basic principles of democracy, which originated with the process of Enlightenment. This paper focuses on the current Iranian government and the authoritarian leadership which require their supporters to blindly obey them. This writer contends and explains that the movement to freedom and democracy in Iran necessitates drifting away from this blind obedience. To promote freedom and democracy in Iran, several pre-conditions are required, including the separation of religion and state. This paper details the numerous obstacles standing in the way, including the fact that Iran is sandwiched between the two sub-regions of the Persian Gulf and Central/Northwest Asia, which accounts for the negative impact on Iran's political climate.

From the Paper
"The liberal democracy indicates to a system that signifies voting by people for free elections to fill the top administrative ranks in legislative and executive branches, while the rights of those holding a minority perspective is safeguarded. Mores, ethos and other values among the population are quite prevalent for enduring democracy and freedom. In some cases the democratic set up has been established but the democratic system failed to establish itself. One of the element which functions as a basis for the rise and consolidation of democracy is the link between the people and the leadership which can be perceived in two respects of absolutism and pluralism. The absolutist concept is associated with the blind adherence to the related utilization of force to suppress those who disagree."

Tags:iran, middle, east, political, government, international, islam, religion, state

Abstract
The paper looks at how states in Southeast Asia are regularly depicted in terms of extremes. This paper explores how China and South Korea appear to be diametrically opposed in that the former is authoritarian while South Korea is democratic. The paper relates that for the most part, this type of polarity does provide a realistic assessment of the two countries' positions.

From the Paper
"States in Southeast Asia are regularly depicted in terms of extremes. South Korea, for example, recently made the transition from an authoritarian to a democratic state. In South Korea, the pattern has been and continues to be, rather than a state invariably dominating society, the various elements of the state interact with a number of societal groups in different ways (Foster 85). Even though China remains an authoritarian state, the same pattern of interaction, to a far more limited degree, can be observed over its history. This paper will explore..."

Tags:china, s. korea, compare

Abstract
This analysis provides a discussion of a number of religious, cultural, and political factors among Arab nations in the Middle East that create a challenge to the adoption of democratic institutions and liberal reforms in those nations. Included are examples of capitalism, Islam, colonialism, authoritarian regimes, and other factors that continue to thwart the spread of genuine democracy in the region.

From the Paper
"Samuel P. Huntington maintains that a trend toward democratic systems of government pervaded the world's nations. This global democratic revolution is probably the most important political trend in the late twentieth century. It is the third wave of democratization in the modern era. From religion and oil to culture and Arab rulers, there are numerous religious and cultural challenges to establishing pluralistic democracy in the Middle East that isc ompatible with Islam. While some nations of the Middle East have..."

Tags:Iraq, Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Hussein, President Bush, U.S. policy, Koran, women, liberalization, oil, Marxism, working class, will, freedom, history

Abstract
This paper discusses the principles behind a democratic verses an authoritarian regime and takes as an example, the democratic regime in Pakistan since its independence from India in 1947. It examines how the struggle to establish a sustained democracy has been hampered by interethnic strife, fragmented elites, praetorian rule and regional and global influences. It evaluates the influence of Islam, the main religion of the country and the problems of coexistence between secularists and Islamists.

From the Paper
"Part of the problem with preserving a peaceful democratic regime in Pakistan is sustainability. Four times since 1988 the parliament has been dissolved by presidents who were not popularly elected. The leaders of Pakistan, military and civilian, have had to rely on the military to safeguard their authority. As a result of this, the same leaders often call upon Islam "in order to maintain their legitimacy and to uphold different political, economic, and class interests." These actions have had a retroactive effect to their intentions; dividing rather than unifying."

Tags:islam, secularists, military

Abstract
This paper examines the views of various researchers that contend that Islam has an inclination for authoritarianism and that Muslim nations have lower a chance of embracing democracy, regardless of economic developments. This paper also presents the views of academics who declare that Islam is a belief system which espouses an ideology of equality, tolerance and righteousness and cannot be branded as against democracy. The writer of this paper explores the correlation between Islam and democracy while discussing the fact that most Muslims think that democracy is an alien theory thrust upon them by the western world. This brief yet concise paper examines the political climate in several Muslim countries, including Iran and Turkey.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Objectives
Research Methodology
Tentative Chapters
Summary
Bibliography

From the Paper
"In Iran, winning the election by President Mohammad Khatami and his reformist partners motivated a new generation but has not yet destabilized the clerical organization's power. On the other hand, in Turkey a party with Islamic moorings is shifting a dishonored system away from decades of disagreement and immobility, after a major election triumph in the year 2002. Turkey's practice underlies the vital role of political Islam as a force for transformation. The experience with Turkey shows the fact that several Muslims, regardless of their habitation in officially secular or officially Islamic countries, witness democracy as their foremost expectation and means of efficient political involvement. Expanding on current research, this doctoral study seeks to examine the whether democracy is compatible in the Islamic world."

Tags:political, muslim, turkey, iran, culture, politics