The World Today US Elections: Lacking Power and Authority The choice of leadership for the world’s most powerful nation has been difficult and divisive. Governing effectively under such circumstances will require conciliation and cooperation. There will probably also be pressure for changes to the system that has produced such an unprecedented result.
The World Today Books – US Foreign Policy: Ideals and Interests American Democracy Promotion: Impulses, Strategies, and Impacts, Edited by Michael Cox, G. John Ikenberry and Takashi Inoguchi,Published by Oxford University Press
The World Today The UN and East Timor: Divided Rule A new challenge has faced the UN in recent emergencies as the world body has been compelled to take over the running of territory from Kosovo to East Timor. Some have revived the term trusteeship. But in the case of East Timor, plans to decentralise authority were thwarted. Individuals were accused of grabbing power, the UN was less effective and the Timorese suffered.
The World Today Peru: The People Triumph After the turbulence of the past few months, there is a fair chance that with the installation of a caretaker government under the interim President Valentin Paniagua, the situation in Peru may stay relatively quiet as the politicians prepare for the election in April. The challenge for aspirants to power is to appeal to those disenchanted with corruption and scandal in a deeply divided country. They must also keep an eye on the men in the military.
The World Today Angola: Still Waiting for Peace The world has become all too accustomed to things in Angola falling apart. Accounts of dreadful human suffering, death and destruction over the last thirty-odd years have been interspersed with only brief glimmers of hope which have quickly been snuffed out. Whereas outsiders have the luxury of speculation about a basket case of distant strangers, life for some thirteen million Angolans is a daily struggle amid conflict, uncertainty and economic and social crisis.
The World Today Spain and the EU's New Applicants: Expect the Unexpected Spain joined the European Union fifteen years ago on 1 January 1986, eleven years after the death of General Franco, the victor of the bloody civil war who had imposed an authoritarian catholic dictatorship on the country for two generations. Spain’s experience raises interesting questions for candidate countries about how long absences of democracy may inhibit a state from adapting speedily to the requirements of Union accession and how a political and economic laggard can catch up with the European average.
The World Today Philippines: 'Buddy' Loses the Plot Fifteen years ago, People Power in Manila toppled the corrupt regime of Ferdinand Marcos and ushered in a new era of democracy. But now there is an impeachment crisis over allegations of corruption against President Estrada, the economy is one of the weakest in Asia and there is a serious Islamic rebellion in the south. Those of us in Manila in 1986 thought the Philippines was ready for a fresh start. Now it seems to have lost its way.
