Democracy Promotion Publications
The Islamists Are Coming: Who They Really Are
Apr 26, 2012The Islamists Are Coming is the first book to survey the rise of Islamist groups in the wake of the Arab Spring. Often lumped together, the more than 50 Islamist parties with millions of followers now constitute a whole new spectrum—separate from either militants or secular parties. They will shape the new order in the world’s most volatile region more than any other political bloc. Yet they have diverse goals and different constituencies. Sometimes they are even rivals. more
Empowering Local Peacebuilders: Strategies for Effective Engagement of Local Actors in Peace Operations
Apr 19, 2012This USIP publication features, "Getting the Right People in the Room: The Burundi Leadership Training Program" by Howard Wolpe and Africa Program Director, Steve McDonald. more
United We Stand, Divided We Fall:The Sudans After the Split
Mar 30, 2012The paper gives a valuable update on current events, including the ongoing conflicts in Abyei, South Kordofan, and the Nuba Mountains, the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), North and South conflicts on oil
revenue, and internal political rivalry and governance issues. more
Securing Development and Peace in the Niger Delta: A Social and Conflict Analysis for Change
Jan 26, 2012Few regions in the world have been as unfortunate as Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta. The delta’s abundant natural wealth stands in stark contrast to its palpable underdevelopment. The oil sector accounts for approximately 95 percent of Nigeria’s export earnings and over 80 percent of federal government revenue, but for nearly two decades the delta has been mired in conflict and violence that threatens human security and the national economy. more
Chronic Violence and its Reproduction: Perverse Trends in Social Relations, Citizenship, and Democracy in Latin America
Nov 01, 2011This report reviews a broad literature on the causes and social effects of chronic violence in Latin America and details the consistent and diverse ways that chronic violence undermines social relations and support for democracy. more
Women, Muslim Laws and Human Rights in Nigeria: A Keynote Address
Jul 19, 2011What is the meaning of Shari’a law? How can we understand its implementation in different contexts, given the diversity in the practice of Islam in Africa and around the globe? What are the elements of Shari’a that are particularly relevant to the position of women and gender relations in the African nation(s) under consideration? more
Election Observation Missions: Making them Count
Jul 19, 2011International election observation is a work in progress, much like the international democratic system it aims to promote and develop. Today
election observation is disproportionately focused on the pre-election and election periods at the expense of the post-election period. International
organizations, national governments, and civil society are familiar with what is expected both before and during an election. Election “practices” exist and an international set of principles is now emerging to guide international elections
observers both before and during elections. more
Pilfering the Peace: The Nexus Between Corruption and Peacebuilding
Jul 12, 2011How might the best practices of peacebuilding be applied to anti-corruption? Based on interviews with trainers and staff of the Burundi Leadership Training Programme (BLTP) of the Woodrow Wilson Center for Scholars, this article explores possible answers to that question in light of a successful peacebuilding effort. The author also flags ideas for future projects and research at the nexus of the two fields.
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