political reform

11 Stories

Suu Kyi Leaving Burma on Historic Trip

President Thein Sein's reforms have obviously convinced her

(Newser) - Burma's most popular political activist is leaving her country for the first time in decades, a sure sign of confidence in the nation's fledgling steps toward democracy, Reuters reports. Aung San Suu Kyi plans to arrive in the Thai capital of Bangkok tomorrow to give a speech at...

Fix America: Reform the Senate
Fix America:
Reform the Senate
EJ Dionne
Jul 29, 2010 1:48 PM CDT

Fix America: Reform the Senate

'Irrational ideas' and 'undemocratic' Senate are killing us

(Newser) - EJ Dionne warns that the US won't be a superpower much longer if it doesn't reform its "incorrigibly stupid" political system. Among other things, he rails against distorted debates on taxes ("the fairy tale of supply-side economics insists that taxes are always too high, especially on the rich"...

Obama Aide: Change Is Out, Reform Is In

Plan is to scale back agenda, focus on government clean up

(Newser) - President Obama’s new 2010 strategy, arrived at after weeks of internal debate, is to replace his sweeping “change” agenda with a more modest push for government reform. First up: a tough new campaign finance law, pushing back against the deeply unpopular Citizens United Supreme Court ruling. “Americans...

Zimbabwe Sees Hope as Mugabe's Grip Weakens

Bread is affordable, kids go to school—but there's a long way to go

(Newser) - Gains are fragile and much work remains, but opposition lawmakers in Zimbabwe's new coalition government finally see hope that they can weaken Robert Mugabe and put the nation on track, the New York Times reports. Donor nations are pressuring for better economic policies, a free press, and other reforms, and...

The Vice Presidency Must Go
 The Vice Presidency Must Go 
OPINION
Oct 2, 2008 4:57 PM CDT

The Vice Presidency Must Go

Founding fathers created institution in very different context

(Newser) - Few countries have vice presidents, and the US shouldn’t either, Bruce Ackerman writes in the LA Times. The founding fathers established the office as a consolation prize, the Yale law and political science professor explains, and it's morphed into a ticket-balancing slot. "This isn't a question on which...

Iraq Passes Election Law, But Skirts Key Issues

No deal on control over northern oil hub, representation of minority groups

(Newser) - The Iraqi parliament today passed a long-delayed law establishing provincial elections, a step the government hopes will protect recent security gains by opening the political process. The first elections are expected in January, the New York Times reports, but questions remain about how to ensure representation for Iraq’s religious...

Sarkozy 's Reform Bill Passes By a Hair

Move to rewrite French constitution has critics crying 'monocracy!'

(Newser) - French President Nicolas Sarkozy hailed the passing yesterday of a constitutional reform, fulfilling a key campaign pledge. The overhaul of parliamentary and executive powers passed in the assembly and senate by a single vote, capturing 539 votes when it needed 538, the BBC reports. The opposition says the change will...

McCain Again Banking on Reform Rep
McCain Again Banking on Reform Rep
ANALYSIS
Jul 16, 2008 2:38 PM CDT

McCain Again Banking on Reform Rep

Campaign finance, particularly, re-enters candidate's public line

(Newser) - After shying away from the issue for some time, John McCain is returning to his credentials as a crusader for campaign-finance reform, Politico notes. In an attempt to woo independent voters, the Republican is underlining his reputation as a Washington reformer, while coping with flak from small-government conservatives within his...

Dr. Obama and Mr. Hyde
 Dr. Obama and Mr. Hyde 
opinion
Jun 20, 2008 5:20 AM CDT

Dr. Obama and Mr. Hyde

'High-minded' candidate is also cutthroat political animal

(Newser) - Barack Obama has two faces: there’s the "high-minded" liberal “Dr. Barack” and the politically calculating, win at-all-costs “Fast Eddie Obama,” writes David Brooks in the New York Times. The split personality clearly emerged in Obama’s announcement that he won’t accept public financing—a...

China Eases Up Slightly on Tiananmen Anniversary

Government allows memorials for the first time

(Newser) - As part of its campaign to attract Western visitors to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, China allowed Tiananmen Square memorials this year for the first time since the protests of June 4, 1989. The government maintains that the uprising was a counterrevolutionary riot and refuses to release details; a security crackdown...

Chinese Talk The Talk On Democracy
Chinese Talk
The Talk On Democracy 
Apr 20, 2007 12:26 PM CDT

Chinese Talk The Talk On Democracy

Officials court support by permitting calls for political reform

(Newser) - It's spring in China, and calls for democracy are in bloom, the New York Times reports. Articles are about the need for political reform are being published—even encouraged—and leaders are promising openness. But the outburst of rhetoric has more to do with the political calendar than with an...

11 Stories