Drug Policy

A new wave of democracy in Turkey

admin

In the sixth of a seven-part Baker Institute Viewpoints series, we evaluate the impact that a new wave of civil unrest will have on international politics.

Despite its proximity in time and location, the protests in Turkey were not just a late continuation of the Arab Spring. Unlike her neighbors that suffered staggering unemployment under the decades-long rule of dictators pre-Arab Spring, Turkey’s economy thrives under a prime minister who, by all international accounts, freely and fairly won his last three elections — most recently by a landslide. In fact, many domestic and foreign scholars credit Erdogan for bringing Turkey onto the global stage as a stable, emerging market, and a healthy portion of Turkish citizens still think highly of the prime minister.

So why all this unrest? Continue Reading →

Civil unrest: Is Mexico next?

admin

In the fifth of a seven-part Baker Institute Viewpoints series, we evaluate the impact that a new wave of civil unrest will have on international politics.

It is hard to tell whether the Arab Spring is contagious or not. The problems of the Arab world run deep and might be influenced by an underlying religious and cultural component not found in other parts of the globe. What is certain, however, is that popular discontent has now reached well beyond the borders of the Arab world. First, it was Turkey that displayed signs of political restlessness; now, Brazil is wracked by demonstrations stemming from economic dissatisfaction. Keen observers of the Mexican political and economic landscape are now asking: Is Mexico next? Continue Reading →

What civil unrest in Brazil portends for the international system

admin

In the fourth of a seven-part Baker Institute Viewpoints series, we evaluate the impact that a new wave of civil unrest will have on international politics.

No one saw Brazil’s protests coming — not even those who organized them. The protests erupted approximately three weeks ago over the announced hike in bus fares and rapidly spread across the country. The protesters had many grievances, including poor health care and access to public services, and they included both the middle and lower classes — two groups that were supposed to have benefited from rising standards of living in recent years. Continue Reading →

Chaos in the streets? Blame cyberspace!

admin

In the third of a seven-part Baker Institute Viewpoints series, we evaluate the impact that a new wave of civil unrest will have on international politics.

Turkey, Brazil, then Egypt: Once again, discontent has led to major popular protest — and, in the case of Egypt, the removal of a democratically elected leader and replacement by a military-backed interim government. And just as before, the Internet and social media have served as a facilitator of these movements. Continue Reading →

Egypt and the Gulf: The illusion of stability?

admin

In the second of a seven-part Baker Institute Viewpoints series, we evaluate the impact that a new wave of civil unrest will have on international politics.

The continuing political turmoil in Egypt brings into sharp relief the relative stability in the Persian Gulf states as they prepare to play a key role in extending financial assistance to Egypt’s new rulers. The six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states have survived the regional upheaval more or less intact and face a far less pessimistic situation, at least in the short term. Continue Reading →

Turkey, Brazil and Egypt: The stakes for the United States

admin

In the first of a seven-part Baker Institute Viewpoints series, we evaluate the impact that a new wave of civil unrest will have on international politics.

All hell has broken loose in Turkey, Brazil and Egypt, where public discontent has exploded into widespread unrest. The three countries are important to the United Sates. Brazil is the most populous country in Latin America, a regional leader, and a state with ambitions on a global scale. Turkey is a NATO ally of the United States and a major player in the Middle East. Egypt has long been a bulwark of U.S. foreign policy in the Arab world. Continue Reading →