by Daniel Joseph | Aug 14, 2018 |
In 1973 the president of the World Bank, Robert McNamara, claimed we would “end poverty within a generation.” We didn’t even come close. Not even in the ball park. Only 15% of the world’s population lives in an advanced, prosperous society. 70% of the world...
by Daniel Joseph | Jul 31, 2018 |
Are we good at spreading democracy? Do we have reason to be confident? Or is rethinking our approach long over due? Americans are passionate about democracy. Supporting democracy is as American as apple pie. America stands for democracy. That could be America’s...
by Daniel Joseph | May 14, 2018 |
I may not be able to define it exactly, but I know it when I see it. Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart, addressing a case about pornography Potter Stewart famously made this statement (paraphrased) referencing pornography. There are a lot of...
by Daniel Joseph | May 14, 2018 |
Is it racist to criticize a particular society’s culture? Does “tolerance” require us to respect all cultures? The short answer to the above questions is “No.” It is not bigoted to comment upon or criticize culture because culture is a real aspect of the human...
by Daniel Joseph | May 8, 2018 |
“China’s real social reform will come from the people themselves. Civil awareness is consolidating as the economy grows and rights protection is enhancing.” Hu Jia, Chinese activist The Chinese government might not be moving toward democracy, but the Chinese...
by Daniel Joseph | May 8, 2018 |
One of the reason we are saying that an authoritarian government that tolerates virtually no dissent or political freedom among the people will become more democratic than India is because it has already happened. We are merely saying that there is a good chance it...
by Daniel Joseph | May 8, 2018 |
It’s the economy, stupid. We vote every two years. Some vote less frequently. Many never vote. But we go to work, buy stuff, and pay bills every day. Losing your job means more to just about everyone than losing an election. That is why former President Bill...
by Daniel Joseph | May 8, 2018 |
If you don’t like our assertions that “Democracy isn’t dead in China” and that “China is closer to real democracy than India,” then you are going to absolutely hate our next comment which is as follows: Driving is a leading indicator of democracy. A country with good...
by Daniel Joseph | May 8, 2018 |
When they tell you that “India is the largest democracy in the world,” they don’t tell you that an estimated 1.8 million people (possibly many more) are victims of police torture each year in India. They also don’t tell that India’s democracy has “bribery at all...
by Daniel Joseph | May 8, 2018 |
Are we good at spreading democracy? Do we have reason to be confident? Or is rethinking our approach long over due? Have we been wrong about democracy for 200 years? Supporting democracy is as American as apple pie. America has always been passionately...
