On the Emergence of an Arab Democracy

Social Divides and Political Compromises in Tunisia

Hopes for a life in freedom and dignity, which had materialised in the “Arab Spring”, have long since been shattered in many places. Tunisia is the only country that has succeeded in undergoing democratic change since 2011. Social divides have been dealt with in a spirit of dialogue and consensus. In order to embed democracy and the rule of law with lasting effect, however, the gap between elites and citizens as well as the regional imbalances of power and development need to be overcome.

The Art of Transition

Will the Democratic Transition Bring Genuine Change to Myanmar?

In 2010, after decades of enforced self-isolation under a dictatorship, the country formerly known as Burma set out on a slow journey of opening up, reaching its peak to date in November 2015 with the first democratic elections in a quarter of a century. The government formed by Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) is finding it difficult to manage the unfamiliar tasks of running the country and measuring up to the people’s and the international public’s expectations as well as meeting the innumerable challenges of the multi-ethnic country of Myanmar.

The Desire for Freedom Cannot Be Suppressed

An Interjection

Regarding the global state of democracy, there is indeed cause for concern. Nevertheless, one should not overlook the many positive developments made in advancing democracy and the rule of law that have taken place throughout the world since World War II.

Young Continent, Old Rulers

What Does the Future Hold for Democracy in Africa?

The African 2016 “super election year” made both positive and negative headlines and demonstrated the heterogeneous paths the development of democracy is taking in Africa. Bearing in mind that many elections lacked democratic quality, and given that authoritarian tendencies are on the rise in numerous countries, one cannot speak of progress on the whole. The future development of African democracy will depend on various external and internal factors, which, while entailing certain risks to stability, will ultimately provide opportunities to provide new democratic incentives.

Aus zwei mach eins!

Wiedervereinigung, Integration und Rechtsvereinheitlichung – Deutschland und Südkorea im Vergleich

Während die deutsche Wiedervereinigung bereits mehr als ein Vierteljahrhundert zurückliegt, ist Korea noch immer geteilt. Vor diesem Hintergrund erörtert der Beitrag, wie sich die Wiedervereinigung eines Landes ganz konkret bewerkstelligen lässt und geht dabei unter anderem der Frage nach, inwiefern Deutschland als Vorbild für eine mögliche Wiedervereinigung der beiden Koreas dienen könnte.

Trump’s Energy Policy: A Threat to Climate Protection in Latin America?

The new U.S. president Donald Trump intends to “unleash” the oil and gas sector in the USA mainly through the deregulation of existing environmental and climate restraints. The withdrawal of the U.S. from the Paris climate agreement is proving itself no less than difficult to accomplish. Nevertheless, one should count on the fact that the U.S. will step considerably back on their international climate obligations. Latin America, which has been counting on a close political cooperation with the U.S. in energy and climate issues, apprehends the beginning of an era of uncertainty.

Between Conflict and Integration

Border Governance in Africa in Times of Migration

In Africa, Border governance plays an important role in conflict management as well as economic integration. However, despite increasing recognition of the need to effectively manage and govern borders, the efforts undertaken to date at the multilateral level have been undermined for various reasons.

Cross-Border Cooperation: Now More Than Ever!

An Interjection

Roman Herzog, the recently deceased former Federal President, warned us twenty years ago: “Isolationism and expansion are paths of the past, and that is where retreading those paths would lead.” One can hardly repeat this admonition loudly enough today as concerns about a significant slowing of global trade, or even a “reversal of globalisation”, and the emergence of new political conflicts characterise the international climate.

Editorial

The major migration movements of the last few years, the annexation of Crimea in contravention of international law, the Brexit vote, the proliferation of isolationist voices within and outside Europe – however different these phenomena may be in principle, they have one thing in common: they illustrate that borders and boundaries still have considerable significance.

Fortress Europe?

The Aegean Sea Frontier and the Strengthening of EU’s External Borders

The refugee and migrant crisis has fundamentally tested the added value and legitimacy of the EU. Currently, a migratory realpolitik prevails as divisions among member states challenge solidarity and respect for European values. Against this backdrop, the main question remains as to whether the Union can provide more effective management of migration and offer reassurances to its citizens in times of heightened insecurity.