Decentralised Regional Development Policy in Tunisia

A New Beginning Following the “Arab Spring”?

Tunisia illustrates how local and other territorial authorities on the sub-national level might be engaged in shaping and implementing a regional development policy. In that regard, reducing interregional disparities and combatting youth unemployment are essential. How could a decentralised regional policy facilitate Tunisia’s restart following the „Arab Spring“?

Editorial

A sustainable development process depends particularly on a country’s conditions that are favourable to economic growth and entrepreneurial initiative as well as opportunities for people to voice their interests and have a say in the political process. That is why the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung views decentralisation as an important instrument to furthering democracy. Because political participation begins at the local level. And this requires an institutional infrastructure to ensure that responsibility for local policies lies at the very levels where they are intended to have an impact.

Internal Spirit of Optimism and Foreign Policy Readjustment

Backgrounds and Perspectives on the New Indian Government

The opposition party, the Bharatiya Janata Party, and its top candidate Narendra Modi won the Indian national elections in May. The clear victory conveys the desire for a stable government, which recently had been characterized by a political standstill. How can this outcome be explained and what challenges does the new Prime Minister face?

The European Parliament as the “Driving Force” of the Common Security and Defence Policy

Over the past years, the European Parliament has consolidated its role as “driving force” for the Security and Defence Policy. It succeeded in advancing the parliamentarisation and contributed to the agenda setting, to new laws, as well as to the parliamentary monitoring: a retrospective on the seventh and an outlook for the upcoming legislature.

The Governability of the Multinational State of Nigeria

Is Decentralisation the Solution or Part of the Problem?

Nigeria is extremely difficult to govern and has been put to the test many times. President Jonathan recently invited 500 representatives from across the country to come to Abuja for a major National Conference, discussing how to safeguard Nigeria’s future unity and its national development. But the latest attacks by religious extremists overshadow this endeavour.

A Constitution for all Tunisians

New Constitution Provides a Glimmer of Hope – Many Challenges Still Lie Ahead

On 26 January 2014, the Tunisian transitional parliament adopted the new constitution with an impressive majority. The international reaction to what has been achieved has been full of superlatives: “the most modern constitution in the Arab world” and “a model and example for the rest of the Arab world”. However, disappointment about the political class is increasing. What are the reforms the Tunisians are calling for and how do the political parties respond?

Editorial

According to the World Bank, almost two billion people will be grouped into the middle class in 2030. Following an increase in numbers, now an agenda for structural change is required, because economic growth and income increases alone have not led to progress in democracy and rule of law in many places. Through our political consultancy work we want to support efforts to prevent a situation where we would be confronted with “growth without development” a few years down the line.

Hero or Traitor?

Differing Perceptions on Edward Snowden, the NSA and Data Protection in Germany and the USA

After his escape to China and Russia, a majority of Americans turned against Edward Snowden. In Germany however, he is increasingly portrayed as a hero. Most Germans welcome state intervention in their daily lives to a much greater degree than Americans, but not when it comes to intelligence activities. But even in the US, some politicians are now also promoting the adoption of the Freedom Act which would curtail the powers of intelligence agencies.

Politics without Center

Argentina’s Government Ignores the Dissatisfaction of the Growing Middle Class

Fear of an economic crash like the one in 2001/2002 has become a constant companion for people in Argentina. At greatest risk are those who have most to lose: the Argentinians from the middle class with their hard-earned wealth. But so far, they have reacted with astonishing acquiescence regarding the stagnant economic development and rising inflation and crime rates. However, protests from the middle class are on the rise. Does President Cristina Kirchner get under pressure?

Protests from the Middle Class

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