Press Freedom, New Media and Political Communication in Malaysia - A Society in Flux

Eine Gesellschaft im Wandel

“Malaysia, truly Asia” is the motto with which the government of the south-east Asian tiger economy courts visitors from all over the world; a catchy slogan which not only incorporates the rich biodiversity, ethnic, religious and cultural diversity of the country, but also describes a tarnished reality. This includes the rigid social and political conditions under which Malaysia has been governed since its independence in 1957. Reporters Without Borders placed Malaysia 131st on its 2009 ranking of press freedom, just ahead of Singapore and directly behind Thailand.

Revolution 2.0: Putting the Fear into Authoritarian Regimes

Digital Culture and Political Communication in Latin America

In March 2008, Cuba was one of the last countries of the world to loosen its restrictions on the ownership and use of cell phones by private individuals. Previously, restrictions regarding computers and other electronic devices had been lifted already. The consequences are there for all to see. With this step, Cuba too finally moved into the digital age. What is of particular importance for the political opposition in this context is the impact in terms of publicity and visibility.

The Internet´s Impact on Political Parties and Campaigns

As the Internet age dawned in the late 1990’s, it became cliché to suggest the Internet would “change everything.” Now, more than twenty-five years after the birth of the worldwide web, the Internet has become a central part of the daily lives of people across the planet. It has quickly developed into the hub through which individuals communicate, maintain social relationships, conduct commerce, acquire knowledge, and even entertain themselves.

A Tiger Ready to Pounce?

Vietnam’s Economic and Political Coordinates in Southeast Asia

Since the Doi Moi reforms were announced in 1986, there has been continual economic development, measured by economic growth. Even temporary, negative influences, such as the Asian crisis of 1997 or the ongoing global financial and economic crisis, have not jeopardized this trend.

Editorial

Auslandsinformationen 5/2010

In this edition of International Reports, we investigate the economic development and the political ambitions of the G20 members India, Saudi Arabia, Korea, Turkey, and South Africa. Alongside the G8 countries, they are important players, with whom we are fostering – and continue to foster – political dialog.

India’s Economic Policy and the Necessity for a Financial Model

Until 1991, the year when extensive liberalization measures began, India was considered – in terms of its regulations on the domestic economy, its customs and its quantitative trade restrictions – as one of the world’s most highly regulated national economies among democratic countries.

Religion and Global Development - Contributions to the Current Debate from a Development Policy Perspective

The issue of how important religion can be for the development of a country and, thus, for the success of development policy, is nothing new. There are various standard works on religious sociology as well as a more recent spate of studies examining the links between religion and violence in politics and society worldwide.

South Africa’s Objectives at the G20

Economic diplomacy matters to South Africa and Africa, because the rules of the game help determine the space available at the national level for economic policymaking. In an increasingly multi-polar world, international economic negotiations offer one way in which South Africa and Africa can influence the rules of the game and thereby help maximise their own space to make domestic economic policy.

South Korea and the G20

Asia’s Poorhouse Emerges as Economic Miracle Nation

South Korea has already drawn attention to itself with ambitious plans for climate protection and green growth, and is setting a good example. Its aim is to establish a stronger presence on the international stage for itself, thus gaining more influence worldwide.

The Rise of the Gulf: Saudi Arabia as a Global Player

Saudi Arabia is the largest economy of an emerging regional block, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) formed by Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and the Saudis. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia contributes with 49% of the total GDP of the economic bloc and 67% of the total population.