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12. Collective Defense of Democracy: Concepts and Procedures
- Author:
- Carlos Ayala Corao and Pedro Nikken Bellshaw-Hógg
- Publication Date:
- 01-2006
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- The Carter Center
- Abstract:
- At the General Assembly of the Organization of American States held in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in June of 2005, the member states enjoined Secretary General José Miguel Insulza to prepare a report on past use of the Inter-American Democratic Charter (IDC) and make suggestions to the Permanent Council concerning possible improvements in its application. The resolution on “Promotion of Regional Cooperation for Implementation of the Inter-American Democratic Charter” also urges the Permanent Council to receive input from civil society concerning the IDC, and conscious of this invitation, The Carter Center and the Andean Commission of Jurists (CAJ) have responded to this invitation.
- Topic:
- Democratization and Globalization
- Political Geography:
- Latin America
13. The carter center financing democracy in guatemala. Final Report: Financing Democracy in Guatemala
- Publication Date:
- 05-2004
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- The Carter Center
- Abstract:
- In recent years discussions about the quality of democracy in the Western Hemisphere have focused increasing concern on the financing of political parties and their campaigns. Unlimited spending on campaigns is believed (correctly or not) to have raised the cost of elections to the point where poor candidates stand little chance of competing and the prospect of creating a level playing field for parties and their candidates has become decidedly remote. Undisclosed contributions of licit or illicit origin by wealthy donors have meanwhile intensified the dependence of elected officials on their campaign funders, increasing the likelihood that politicians respond to donor interests and hindering effective representation for the ordinary citizen in the making of public policy. In tandem, these trends are contributing to public cynicism about parties and candidates, and about the possibilities for meaningful citizen participation in politics.
- Topic:
- Democratization, Economics, and Politics
- Political Geography:
- Latin America and Central America
14. Financing Democracy in the Americas
- Publication Date:
- 05-2004
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- The Carter Center
- Abstract:
- Citizens throughout the hemisphere increasingly question the integrity of political processes with opaque methods of financing and access. After a quarter-century of democratic governance, money-conscious voters in Latin America's troubled economies have begun to ask whether elections really allow them to hold governments accountable for enacting promised reform s or whether instead politicians respond primarily to the special interest groups who fund their campaigns. Democracy remains a valued good, but questions are being asked about how much it costs, who pays, and whether the need to raise funds distorts policy agendas.
- Topic:
- Democratization, Economics, and Politics
- Political Geography:
- Latin America and Central America
15. Access To Information: A Key To Democracy
- Author:
- Laura Newman
- Publication Date:
- 11-2002
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- The Carter Center
- Abstract:
- Citizens and their leaders around the world have long recognized the risk of corruption. Corruption diverts scarce resources from necessary public services, and instead puts it in the pockets of politicians, middlemen and illicit contractors, while ensuring that the poor do not receive the benefits of this "system". The consequences of corruption globally have been clear: unequal access to public services and justice, reduced investor confidence, continued poverty, and even violence and overthrow of governments. A high level of corruption is a singularly pernicious societal problem that also undermines the rule of law and citizen confidence in democratic institutions.
- Topic:
- Civil Society, Democratization, Government, Human Rights, and Politics
- Political Geography:
- South America, Latin America, Central America, Caribbean, and North America
16. Observing the 2002 Mexico Elections
- Author:
- Marcela Szymanski
- Publication Date:
- 03-2001
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- The Carter Center
- Abstract:
- The Carter Center has a long history of engagement with Mexico with the shared goal of improving the electoral system in that country. In the early 1990s, the Center helped national observer groups to form and sent international observers to assist in domestic election monitoring. It also invited Mexicans to observe the U.S. elections in 1992. In 1994, the Center was among the first international observers to monitor elections in Mexico, and its observations helped shape electoral reforms that framed those and the 1997 elections, which the Center also observed.
- Topic:
- Democratization and Development
- Political Geography:
- Latin America and Mexico
17. Observing Political Change in Venezuela: The Bolivarian Constitution and 2000 Elections
- Author:
- Laura Neuman and Jennifer McCoy
- Publication Date:
- 02-2001
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- The Carter Center
- Abstract:
- Venezuela under President Hugo Chávez undertook a bold experiment to revamp its political system and address economic inequities and poverty. The country held seven votes in two years as voters chose Hugo Chávez to lead them in December 1998 and then supported his radical reform program, beginning with a new constitution. A Constitutional Assembly was elected in July 1999 to draft a new constitution, which voters approved in December 1999. Every elected position in the country was then presented to the voters again in a two-stage election in July and December 2000. While we do not believe that the election irregularities would have changed the 2000 presidential results, the significant politicization of the elections and organizational deficiencies contributed to a lack of confidence in the process and the nonpresidential results, thus leading us to characterize the July 2000 elections as flawed.
- Topic:
- Democratization and Development
- Political Geography:
- South America, Latin America, and Venezuela
18. The Carter Center News, January-June 2000
- Publication Date:
- 01-2000
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- The Carter Center
- Abstract:
- During the first six months of this year, four Latin American countries exercised democracy by scheduling elections. The Dominican Republic, Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela laid the groundwork for electoral processes, though only the Dominican Republic and Mexico actually held elections as planned (see also “What Latin America's Elections Really Mean,” Page 4). In all four cases, however, Carter Center delegates were on site to monitor the proceedings. Below are the Center's observations, listing the most recent election first.
- Topic:
- Development, Environment, Human Rights, Migration, Science and Technology, and Third World
- Political Geography:
- South America, Latin America, Central America, Caribbean, Venezuela, Mexico, and Peru
19. Challenges to Democracy in the Americas
- Author:
- Hugo Chávez, Manuel Antonio Garretón M., Porfirio Muñoz Ledo, Kenneth H. Jr. MacKay, Philip Oxhorn, Kenneth Roberts, Matthew Soberg Shugart, Jorge Vargas Cullel, Laurence Whitehead, and Adolfo E. Nanclares
- Publication Date:
- 10-2000
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- The Carter Center
- Abstract:
- Recent events in Latin American and the Carribean, including the election of a former coup leader in Venezuela, the third-term candidacy of Peru President Alberto Fujimori, a coup in Ecuador, and the failed constitutional reform in Guatemala and subsequent election of a party led by retired military officials, have led to serious concerns about the direction of democracy in the region. Americas Program's Council of Presidents and Prime Ministers of the Americas selected the conference topic as an expression of their concern. Held in October 2000 at The Carter Center, the conference addressed the resurgence of populist leaders, the decline of political parties, the need for greater public security, and the many ways the military continues to intervene in Latin American politics.
- Topic:
- Democratization, Development, Human Rights, Migration, and Politics
- Political Geography:
- America and Latin America
20. Transparency Project
- Author:
- Jennifer McCoy and Shelley McConnell
- Publication Date:
- 05-1999
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- The Carter Center
- Abstract:
- The Carter Center's Americas Program and its Council of Presidents and Prime Ministers of the Americas have initiated a multiyear project to work with governments and civil society to develop monitoring mechanisms to help combat corruption in government transactions and serve as a model for the rest of the world. Greater "transparency" in government-business interactions can improve investor confidence, spur economic growth, provide better public services to the population, and increase public confidence in democratic institutions. At a high-level conference May 4-5, 1999, leaders from across the hemisphere came to The Carter Center to evaluate specific anti-corruption efforts and seek commitments from other governments to implement similar strategies in their own countries. In preparation for that conference, The Carter Center partnered with three countries—Ecuador, Jamaica, and Costa Rica—to develop and assess specific anti-corruption tools.
- Topic:
- Democratization, Development, Human Rights, and Migration
- Political Geography:
- South America, Latin America, Central America, and Caribbean
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