Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

May 17, 2008 1:29:41 AM CDT



Oil Driving 'Democratic Recession'  

Posted May 7, 08 11:25 AM CDT in World    Editor's Choice

(newser) – A "democratic recession" is threatening to roll back freedom around the globe, Thomas Friedman writes today in the New York Times. The high price of oil—which facilitates authoritarian rule—combined with the loss of US ability to effectively promote democracy means dictators have freer reign and freedom suffers, Friedman writes.

In particular, Friedman singles out Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe and his ally, South Africa's Thabo Mbeki, as "bad guys" who "are taking advantage" of the erosion of American influence. The columnist also blasts (again) Hillary Clinton's and John McCain's plans for a gas-tax holiday as "another little nail in the coffin of democracy around the world."

Source New York Times

open commentscomments (0)

Editor Recommended

Info on the report that Friedman cites
Freedom House

More from Larry Diamond
MinnPost.com | May 1, 08

Oil Driving 'Democratic Recession'
"What Mugabe has done to his country is one of the most grotesque acts of misgovernance ever," Friedman writes of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.   (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)
Oil Driving 'Democratic Recession'
"As the price of oil goes up, the pace of freedom goes down. As the price of oil goes down, the pace of freedom goes up," New York Times columnist Thomas L. Friedman writes.   (AP Photo/Stephen Chernin, File)
Oil Driving 'Democratic Recession'
The US is turning a blind eye as South African President Thabo Mbeki teams with Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe, a fellow anti-colonialist, to enslave their fellow Africans, Friedman argues.   (AP Photo/Stephen Chernin)
prev   next
play

Threads (1 of 6)



Loading...

Loading...

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other World Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »