Abstract
The writer in this paper explains that the biggest problem facing the Third World countries is the lack of democracy rather than underdevelopment. The writer uses the example of Iraq as compared to South Africa and Mexico to illustrate the point.

Contents
Does Authoritarianism Promote Rapid Growth?
Democracy Advances Human Development
Where does Democracy Stand Globally?
Comparing Iraq with South Africa and Mexico
Conclusion

From the Paper
"This phenomenon was most dramatically illustrated in the recent history of Iraq, when an oil-rich country that had attained a reasonable standard of development until the 1980s, squandered its gains due to the unwise policies of its authoritarian ruler. On the other hand, countries like South Africa and Mexico are well on the path of sustained development due to their adoption of a democratic form of government in recent times. It is, therefore, important for every country and international institution to try and promote democracy in the third world countries, without trying to impose it from the outside."

Tags:south, africa, iraq, oil, dictator, saddam, development, first

Abstract
This paper explains that one of the main roles of the press in any democracy is that of a public watchdog that is vigilant over government activities on behalf of the people that government serves. The paper focuses on South Africa as a point of reference and refers to the history of South African policy as well as certain European media policy counterparts, in order to gauge standards of media performance.

Outline:
Introduction
Media and Democracy
Media Policy in South Africa
External Media Policy
Policy Formulation Aspects
Internal Media Policy
Policy Formulation Aspects
The Gate keeping Function
European Media Policy
United Kingdom Media Policy
Italian Media Policy
German Media Policy
South African Media Policy History
Apartheid Era
After Apartheid
Comparison
Conclusion

From the Paper
"One of the main roles that the press plays in any democracy is that of a public watchdog that is vigilant over government activities on behalf of the people that government serves (Krimsky, 2000). The media is a fundamental tool in the decision-making of the democratic government in any country. A democracy requires the people of the state to make choices and decisions on a daily basis. This therefore needs to be aided by a media and media environment that allows for objectivity through its content and the journalists and staff of the forms of media themselves. The media needs to inform, without judging (Krimsky, 2000)."

Tags:performance, standards, legislation, apartheid, democracy

Abstract
The author of the paper explores the idea that democracy, whilst widely accepted as being the ideal method of ruling a country, may not always be suitable for all states, peoples or situations. The writer also attempts to answer the question as to whether or not democracy can be imposed from without. The writer examines attempts to establish a democratic system of government in countries such as Iraq, Somalia, Sudan and South Africa amongst others. The author's conclusions regarding the attempt of western nations and the United Nations to establish democracy in states with no real history or culture of democracy are quite definite. He then continues and examines the reasons behind the apparent failure of democracy to take hold in such countries.

From the Paper
"The American view of democracy however was the one that would eventually prevail and would stand at the basis of the democratic system as it is today. The American Revolution, one of the few internal struggles of the young nation targeted precisely this establishment of the British democratic system. Its aim was to create a state power that would include the entire array of political and democratic forces that made up the society. In this sense, the term of good governance and power of the people became intrinsic values of the system the US tried to promote in the centuries following its constitution. At this moment in or history, these are the pillars of the notion of democracy as promoted throughout the world. They represent the emanation of a historical tradition of social responsibility, political accountability, and most importantly, respect for human and civil rights."

Tags:Development, evolution, political, democratic, totalitarian, dictatorial, british, american, africa, western, iraq, sudan, Somalia

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
This paper proposes a study to examine how Human Rights Day and Day of Reconciliation play an integral role in putting into practice democracy in South Africa. The issues of the events that occurred and the change towards policy in dealing with inequality in regards to human rights are also examined. The research proposed, with references in support of the thesis, delves into how bearing witness has been of great importance to the development of democracy in South Africa, as one source used is Fiona C. Ross' "Bearing Witness" (2003) in which various women are interviewed on their opinions of the reconciliation commission in South Africa.

From the Paper
"Therefore, in the course of this research project the elections held in 1994 will play a major part of the issues of democracy in South Africa as well as furthering the development of democracy in areas other than elections such as programs in the country to reinforce the idea of equality such as Human Rights Day and the Day of Reconciliation and these two days aid in giving a new definition to South Africa about tolerance through public celebration and recognition. In view of the election, as is stated by Butler, "The South African election was fascinating in part because it seemed to be an exercise of direct collective assertion, an instrument of unambiguous collective choice" (175). Thus, the focus on election will be an instrument of choice."

Tags:Human, Rights, Day, Reconciliation, Apartheid

Abstract
This paper discusses and explores activist and journalist Colin Legum's account of the struggles which Africa has faced as it marches toward unity and democracy since independence has come to its nations. The author maintains Africa's movement toward democracy is highly comparable to other nation-states historically. The paper also asserts Legum's outlook that the nations of Africa are poised, with appropriate governance, to enter a period of renaissance.

From the Paper
"In Colin Legum's "Africa Since Independence," the author provides a succinct account of the struggles in Africa since achieving independence. Activist, scholar and journalist Legum provides an assessment of Africa's unique experience since it achieved independence and offers some sobering predictions about the future of the vast complex and challenged continent. Legum maintains that Africa has evolved through three major phases during the twentieth century to the present, each with its own issues and challenges. As Legum describes them Africa has passed through three..."

Tags:poverty, politics, military conflict, ethnic tensions, democratic institutions, free elections, HIV/AIDS, agriculture, environment, pandemics, coup d'etat, apartheid, Europe, Latin America, U.S., colonialism, exploitation, ethnocentrism, globalization

Abstract
The paper shows that if the majority of people in a society become educated it would stand to reason that conditions within that society would improve. If conditions and self awareness increase within that society, then there is most likely a chance that a rise in social improvements will follow. This paper shows how democracy would increase in the Middle East and North Africa if more attention would be given to gender and education equity.

From the Paper
"When an individual gets an education, every aspect of his or her life can change. In general, with an advanced education, socioeconomic status improves. Many times, education can also lead to improved self-concept. It is difficult to convince someone that he or she is inherently inferior if that person has been taught otherwise. Theoretically, then, education can help individuals stand up and take responsibility for themselves, as well as teaching them to improve their own lives and the lives of others. What then, happens when a nation's population becomes more educated?"

Tags:education, gender, equity

Abstract
The paper relates that despite the attempts to improve the situation in South Africa, there is a sense of disregard for the electoral system as a whole, a lack of confidence for the political framework and a general lack of interest for the future of the country. The paper shows how this reflects the minimal effects of the process of democracy on the average people. The paper concludes that electoral system and the electoral process are, therefore, a relevant image of the current situation in the country.

From the Paper
"The history of South Africa represents one of the most troubled aspects of our contemporary world. It marks an aspect of the past which pointed out to the difficult situations a nation has gone through especially in its struggle to end an era of apartheid and start its road towards democracy. In general terms, it is often stated that the electoral system represents the voice of the nation, of the demos. This is why in every democratic system and in every emerging democracy the criteria for assessing the degree of democratic freedom is often the elections held in those countries."

Tags:voting, women, rights, minorities

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses that although the Internet does offer a great deal for rich countries, there are many other poor nations that are left out of this revolution. The writer points out that while countries such as the United States get great benefits, other countries such as Africa get nothing. The writer further notes that there are fast and slow lane countries, and globalization, like capitalism, is designed only to profit the faster moving countries. The writer concludes that what the Internet promises is something for the rich majority, along with an increase in world poverty.

From the Paper
"The idea that the Internet promises a new age of democracy is true and false. Democracy means the rule of the majority. It is very true that the Internet offers a great deal for the rich nations of the world. The Internet is a growing network of computer networks. Out of the Internet has developed a new culture and a revolution in goods and services. The problem is that much of the world is left out of that culture and revolution."

Tags:equality, control, internet

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses that the United Nations is the result of the universal aspiration for peace and cooperation at the global level. The writer notes that from its inception, it was meant to be a world forum for discussing and resolving the problems facing humanity. Despite this lofty goal, in many occasions throughout its history, the world body failed to deliver on this promise. The writer notes that third world countries, most of them being fragile emerging democracies, face constant threats to their political system, their economic situation and the social structure. The writer points out that from this perspective, the reform of the United Nations may represent an opportunity for such countries to decide on a structure that would cater for their needs and problems to a larger extend than the existing one.

From the Paper
"The historical colonial background of the US determined it to take a strong stand against any possibility of maintaining the colonial system as part of any postwar agreement and reshaping of the world. At the same time, the political interests of all the three major powers that decided upon the blueprint of the peacetime imposed them an attitude that eventually favored the independence, although limited, of the former colonial possessions. Therefore, the current third world countries, which in large parts represent the African continent, were from the very beginning both under the overprotective eye of a system that had from the onset limited means and capabilities, and under the scrutiny of the trusteeship powers."
"This background on the issue at hand enables the proper presentation of the causes and effects of the failing UN policy towards third world countries, as well as its current results. Indeed, the highly anticipated UN reform can be seen as an opportunity for the small and poor countries to have their say in the reshaping of the institutional and political framework of the organization. "

Tags:third, world, poor, peace, humanity