The Relationship between Islam and Democracy in Turkey: The Islamisation of Politics versus the Politicisation of Islam

There are two questions that arise in conjunction with the relationship between Islam and democracy: How to correlate Islam as a religion and a world view with democracy as a secular political system? And why is it that the same question never crops up with regard to the relationship between Christianity and democracy?

Between National Interests and Ideology - Spain's Latin American Policy

When Venezuela’s president, Hugo Chávez, paid an official visit to Madrid in November 2004, he declared that he had ‘never before been welcomed like this in Spain’. And the left-wing populist’s joy is not the only sign of the radical change which is taking place in Spain’s policy vis-à-vis Latin America.

Editorial

Der Krisenkontinent Afrika bietet heute neue Chancen. Fortschritte in der Demokratie- und Menschenrechtsfrage sind in vielen Ländern erkennbar. Wirtschaftlich geht es in vielen Staaten bergauf. Der Ressourcenreichtum unseres Nachbarkontinents ist vielfach Ursache für steigende Wachstumsraten. Der Ressourcenhunger der Industriestaaten und der Schwellenländer stärkt dasInteresse an diesem Kontinent.

NATO and Russia. How to Safeguard the Partnership

Ten years after the adoption of the NATO-Russia Founding Act and five years after the establishment of the NATO-Russia Council, the general mood is anything but exuberant. Cooperation is in an ambivalent state, debates about the planned deployment of rockets in eastern Europe are causing tensions, and the Kosovo question, the enlargement of NATO towards the east and the future of the CFE Treaty are putting a considerable strain on the relations between NATO and Russia. The question is: What is the problem?

Political Islam Gaining Ground. The Example of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt

In recent years, political groups inspired by Islam progressively made their peace with the characteristics of the democratic order. Their newly-discovered acceptance of elections and parliamentary processes results not least from a gradual democratisation of the formerly authoritarian regimes these groups had fought by terrorist means even in their home countries.

Taking Stock of the Work of the Legislative Assembly of the Russian Duma in the Legislative Period from 2003 to 2007

For some time, the Russian Duma has been dominated by United Russia, the 'party of power' that is faithful to Putin. Its current majority of 67.56% enables it to change the constitution without assistance. Acting in concert with the Fair Russia Party, the result of a merger between the Rodina and Shisn parties in 2006, United Russia largely supports the policies of the Kremlin, whereas alternative opinions are only intermittently heard in the Duma. United Russia controls legislation, acting as an instrument of the national government and particularly the Russian president.

The EU and Africa on the Way towards a Strategic Partnership

For a long time, development-policy aspects have not been the only reason why the gaze of the global public rested increasingly on Africa. For one thing, the continent's growing importance is reflected in the intensifying contest for influence and resources that is going on between the West and China and other countries, a development in which Europe is directly involved.

Another Chance for the Orange Camp? One more Change of Government

Erneuter Machtwechsel nach vorgezogenen Parlamentswahlen in der Ukraine.

Not even eighteen months had passed since the last parliamentary elections in Ukraine when the parliament and the president of this east European country agreed on new elections.

Cuba and the Human Rights - Executive Summary

Over the last few years, there has been no change regarding the protection and enforcement of human rights in Cuba.

Editorial

„Menschenrechte sind unteilbar. Die CDU wird auch künftig ihre Stimme erheben, wenn Demokratie, Freiheit, Rechtsstaatlichkeit und Minderheitenrechte in Gefahr sind. Menschenrechte und Grundfreiheiten müssen in aller Welt gegenüber dem Souveränitätsprinzip Vorrang haben.“ Mit dieser Aussage endet der Entwurf des neuen CDU-Grundsatzprogramms, in welchem der weltweiten Beachtung der Menschenrechte überaus große Bedeutung beigemessen wird. Grundlage dieses eindeutigen Bekenntnisses zum festen Eintreten für die Verwirklichung der Menschenrechte ist das christliche Menschenbild. Dem Menschen kommt als „imago dei“ allein dank seines Daseins Menschenwürde zu. Damit wird die so begründete Ehre und Würde eines jeden Menschen zum zentralen Orientierungspunkt politischen Handelns.