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831. Iran Feels the Heat: International Pressure Emboldens Tehran's Domestic Critics

Author:
Mehdi Khalaji
Publication Date:
01-2007
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
The Washington Institute for Near East Policy
Abstract:
As international pressure on the Iranian government toughens, the Iranian regime is facing more fragmentation at home. In an unprecedented action against a sitting president, 150 of the 290 members of the Iranian Majlis (parliament) signed a letter blaming President Mahmoud Ahmadinezhad for raging inflation and high unemployment, and criticizing his travel to Latin America at a time when he has not sent the Majlis a draft budget for the fiscal year that starts March 21. Under Iranian law, this letter constitutes the first step required if the Majlis wants to remove the president from office.
Topic:
International Relations, Development, and Government
Political Geography:
Iran, Middle East, and Latin America

832. Un repaso a la regionalización y el regionalismo: Los primeros procesos de integración regional en América Latina

Author:
Maria Fajado
Publication Date:
10-2007
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
CONfines de Relaciones Internacionales y Ciencia Política
Abstract:
This article analyses the first regionalism in Latin America, understood as the first regional economic integration agreements which appeared in the sixties, particularly the mechanisms of integration ALALC-ALADI, MCCA and PA. For such purpose, firstly the author presents a theoretical reflection about the regionalization and its political projects, in other words, the regionalism. Then, the international circumstances and the economic policies that served for developing these mechanisms of regional integration in Latin America are depicted.
Topic:
Economics, International Cooperation, and Regional Cooperation
Political Geography:
Latin America

833. Telesur : Estrategia geopolítica con fines integracionistas

Author:
Andrés Cañizález and Jairo Lugo
Publication Date:
10-2007
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
CONfines de Relaciones Internacionales y Ciencia Política
Abstract:
This article discusses the project of Telesur in the context of regional integration in Latin America and geopolitical confrontation with the US. The article considers the way in which confrontation between President Hugo Chávez's administration and the United States has made geopolitics a fundamental part of this telecommunications project. It discusses the validity of comparing Telesur to other broadcasters such as Al-Jazeera and EuroNews. Although is still too soon to provide an assessment of the viability of the channel, it is already possible to foresee that it will face in the near future a series of challenges that will reshape its nature and that of its audiences.
Topic:
Emerging Markets, International Cooperation, and Regional Cooperation
Political Geography:
Latin America

834. Sistema electoral y democracia de calidad: Análisis de las campañas electorales en Nuevo León

Author:
Gabriela Salazar Gonzales
Publication Date:
10-2007
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
CONfines de Relaciones Internacionales y Ciencia Política
Abstract:
The present article analyzes the electoral campaigns in the state of Nuevo Leon, Mexico, as a way to establish if these campaigns, as a fundamental part of the electoral and political processes, contribute to achieve a quality democracy. Based on the definition of a good quality democracy, we analyze the electoral campaigns and their institutional design: length, financing, political parties, access to the media, negative campaigns, political debates, government advertising during the campaigns, political parties fiscal accountability and their overall impact in the public participation. Finally, this paper outlines some proposals of improvement for the design of the electoral campaigns in Nuevo León.
Topic:
Civil Society, Government, and Politics
Political Geography:
Latin America and Mexico

835. ¿Democracia por método o democracia por principio? Latinoamérica y su condicionado compromiso con la pluralid

Author:
Ulises Carrillo Cabrera and Gabriela López Gómez
Publication Date:
10-2007
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
CONfines de Relaciones Internacionales y Ciencia Política
Abstract:
The process of democratic consolidation in Latin America may seem to be dominated by an utilitarian search of better governments and not by a real commitment to adopt democratic principles and values. This essay analyzes data from Latinobarometer for the last decade and finds evidence of a support for democracy that is associated with low inflation and strong GNP growth. Democracy is far from being the 'only game in town' and is under pressure to obtain specific policy outcomes. Partial evidence suggests that citizens tend to support regimes from the left when they realize that democracy is more a procedural system rather than a regime of effective redistribution of wealth and income.
Topic:
Civil Society, Democratization, and Politics
Political Geography:
Latin America

836. Constitución y democracia. ¿Límites y vínculos?

Author:
Adrián Rentería Díaz
Publication Date:
10-2007
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
CONfines de Relaciones Internacionales y Ciencia Política
Abstract:
There has been a process of change in the notion of constitutionalism since the middle of the 20th century, setting itself apart from its previous conceptualization which was distinguished by its stiffness and the existence of an organ responsible of surveilling the supremacy of the Constitution above the law. Using this affirmation as a starting point, the author examines the ways in which the neo-constitutionalism and the 19th-century constitutionalism theorized the concepts of constitution and democracy. The aim of this analysis is to demonstrate that the concept of formal democracy -as a method to take public decisions on the basis of the majority principle- has exhausted its heuristic capacity in neo-constitutionalism. According to the author, the use of such concept generates an indissoluble tension between constitution and democracy. Thus, based on the work of Luigi Ferrajoli, the author proposes a radical review of the concept of democracy that incorporates substantial aspects and takes into account the reality of the current normative systems.
Topic:
Civil Society, Democratization, and Politics
Political Geography:
Latin America

837. Transborder movements Mexico-United States: “Polleros” as mobility agents

Author:
Gaxiola y Guajardo García
Publication Date:
04-2007
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
CONfines de Relaciones Internacionales y Ciencia Política
Abstract:
The human traffic networks of Latin-Americans immigrants, managed by human traffickers or “polleros”, constitute an actual social phenomenon that affects the security structures in all borders of the American continent. The objective of this research is to analyze how the impact that problems, like uneven distribution of income and the lack of job opportunities in Latin America, affect the raising of human traffic networks and “polleros”. At the same time, it will be exposed the abuses that the “polleros” commit against the immigrants, and several measures that have been adopted in the international level to eradicate this problem.
Topic:
International Relations and Migration
Political Geography:
United States, Latin America, Central America, North America, and Mexico

838. Regime-Hybridity and violent civil societies in fragmented societies – conceptual considerations

Author:
Heidrun Zinecker
Publication Date:
01-2007
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
The Judith Reppy Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies
Abstract:
We postulate the following hypothesis: hybrid regimes are typical and are bound to remain the dominant type of political regime in developing countries due to the correlation between regime hybridity and the rent economy that exists in those countries. Regime-Hybrids contain both democratic and non-democratic segments. In contrast to assumptions made in the relevant literature, non-democratic segments are not necessarily authoritarian, and these can exist both within the state and within civil society. This hypothesis requires an expanded definition of the political regime to include not only the state but also the civil society. In countries with regime-hybrids, the civil society is characterized by non-autonomy and fragmentation in general and violent fragmentation in particular.
Topic:
Conflict Resolution, Democratization, Development, and Post Colonialism
Political Geography:
Latin America

839. Michelle Bachelet, President of the Republic of Chile

Author:
Michelle Bachelet
Publication Date:
09-2007
Content Type:
Video
Institution:
Columbia University World Leaders Forum
Abstract:
President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet delivers a keynote address and participates in a question and answer session moderated by John H. Coatsworth, Acting Dean, School of International and Public Affairs. This event is co-sponsored by the Institute of Latin American Studies.
Topic:
Democratization, Development, and Regional Cooperation
Political Geography:
Latin America and Chile

840. Civil Society-State Relations in Turkey in the Context of Political Culture: The Case of Trade Union

Author:
Armağan Öztürk
Publication Date:
03-2007
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Bilgi
Institution:
Değişim Yayınları
Abstract:
Makale sendikal çözümleme üzerine daha çok altyapı ilişkilerine atıfta bulunan tarihsel-ekonomik perspektifi, toplumsal yapı ve siyasal kültüre değinen alternatif bir okumayla zenginleştirmeyi hedeflemektedir. Temel iddia Türkiye'de siyasi kültürün örgütlü toplumun gelişmesini yapısal özelikleri nedeniyle geciktirdiği yönünde olduğudur. Dayanışmacı, paternalist, popülist, elitist, cemaatçi, solidarist ve patrimonyal kültürel öğeler çatışma karşıtı bir eylem-söylem zemini yaratmaktadır. Bu zemin, seçkinci pratiğin kendini sivil toplum içinde yeniden üretmesine olanak sağlayan meşrulaştırıcı bir dizi politik enstrümanı mümkün kılar. Sendikalar da sağcı popülizmin ve cemaatçiliğin koşullanması altında patronajcı mantığı içselleştirmişlerdir. Kamusal imkânların patronajcı kullanımı hükümet ile sivil toplumu bir çıkar ağı sistemi ile birbirine bağlayan yozlaşmış siyaset örgütlenme biçimine yol açmıştır. Sendikaların araçsal siyasete tabi olması ya da sendikanın patronajcı bilince teslim olması olgusu örgüt özelinde temsil sorununu ve birçok noktada bu sorunu kesen bir sendikal demokrasi-sendikal bürokrasi karşıtlığını beraberinde getirmektedir.
Political Geography:
Turkey and Latin America