The Campaign

HOW OBAMA WON THE NOMINATION.  Jay Cost.  Policy Review, August-September 2008, n.p. Jay Cost argues that Obama was favored by the delegate allocation system. In other words, Obama won not simply because he had more supporters, but also because the “rules of the game” made those supporters better at generating delegates. He then wonders "whether they should be present. Why systematically favor candidates who do better in small states or, even more strangely, states that invariably vote Republican? Why not favor large states and swing states? Is it not preferable to have a nominee who can appeal to voters in states with more Electoral College votes, and in states that tend to alter their presidential preferences year-to-year? Similarly, is the caucus-state bias appropriate? Forty years ago, party reformers considered the caucus a preferable venue for the selection of convention delegates. Is this still an agreeable position? Is the caucus process one that is truly in the interests of parties, especially given how caucus results seem to diverge from primary results?"  READ MORE

RACE AND POLITICS.  WILL SKIN COLOR INFLUENCE THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION? Peter Katel.  CQ Researcher, July 18, 2008, pp. 579-599.  The once unthinkable could happen this November: A black man may win the presidency. When freshman Illinois Sen. Barack Obama was born in 1961, African-Americans couldn't vote in parts of the United States. Now, as Obama prepares to accept the Democratic nomination in August, he is running slightly ahead of his presumptive Republican opponent, Arizona Sen. John McCain, a 71-year-old Vietnam War hero. First dogged by questions of whether he was "black enough," Obama now faces doubts about whether racial prejudice will prove a major obstacle to his historic campaign, especially among white working-class voters. Nonetheless, Obama is likely to benefit from changes in the country's demographic makeup, which is growing less white as immigration diversifies. At the same time, younger voters are showing notably less racial prejudice than older generations. Meanwhile, some top Republicans acknowledge the GOP needs to appeal to a broader range of voters if McCain is to win.  READ MORE

POLITICAL CONVENTIONS.  HAVE THEY OUTLIVED THEIR USEFULNESS?  Tom Price.  CQ Researcher August 8, 2008, pp. 651-671. The Democrats and Republicans share a fundamental goal for their upcoming national conventions: to produce scripted television shows that will boost their candidates' prospects in the general election without showcasing any intra-party squabbling. Under that scenario, convention delegates seem to have nothing to do but cheer Barack Obama and John McCain, whose nominations were virtually assured before the conventions began. If the important decisions are made before the conventions begin, ask some politicians, political scientists and critics in the media, why bother to hold them? Convention supporters argue that the gatherings are needed in case a nomination isn't settled beforehand. The conventions also make decisions about party rules that can affect which candidates get nominated. And conventions are the one time every four years when the parties become truly national organizations, with delegates and activists from around the country mingling face-to-face.  READ MORE
 

Europe

Why Europe Leads on Climate Change. John R. Schmidt. Survival, August 2008, pp. 83-96. In January 2008, the EU announced an ambitious new plan to unilaterally reduce carbon emissions beyond its Kyoto commitments. An exploration of EU climate-change policy reveals a desire to minimise risk in the face of uncertainty about the precise impact of global warming. In taking a global leadership role, the EU seeks to enhance its prestige, to demonstrate to the United States that emission reductions can be done relatively cheaply, and to develop more affordable technologies that can be passed on to developing nations. READ MORE

On Euroskepticism: Pathology or Reason. Black, Jeremy. Orbis, Summer 2008, pp. 481-493. Jeremy Black takes issue with Ronald Granieri concerning the issue of "Euro-skepticism," arguing that it is not a 'cranky idiosyncrasy' but a rational perspective focusing on history and the national interest. Accordingly, he is pessimistic about the future of European integration. He contends that it is difficult to see how a politically integrated European Union will work effectively given the range and diversity of views demanding attention. "When combined with other issues, such as the remarkable demographic transformation of the continent, it seems hard to predict any clear outcome." READ MORE

Meanwhile in the Caucasus

Chechnya: Has Moscow Won? Roland Dannreuther Luke March. Survival, August 2008 , pp. 97-112. The image of Chechnya in the West remains one of radicalisation and conflict, unresolved secessionist ambition and Russian brutality. But far more than is generally acknowledged outside Russia, Moscow's policies towards Chechnya have succeeded in their aims. The republic is now relatively peaceful; reconstruction is gaining momentum; and Chechnya's leader, Ramzan Kadyrov, has been both an effective and seemingly faithful servant of Russia in the North Caucasus. However, it would be unwise to assume this represents a long-term solution to the problems in the North Caucasus. READ MORE

Separatism and Democracy in the Caucasus. Nina Caspersen  Survival, August 2008 , pages 113-136. The 'standards before status' policy for Kosovo has reignited hopes for independence in other de facto states and has led the authorities to emphasise their ability to create effective, democratic institutions. Analysis of the accompanying processes of state-building and democratisation in Abkhazia and Nagorno-Karabakh suggests that these entities should not be regarded merely as criminalised badlands. Significant changes in their internal politics could have a positive impact on the stalled talks, and these processes provide an avenue for constructive engagement. READ MORE

The Real Causes of the Color Revolutions. Lucan Way. Journal of Democracy, July 2008. pp. 55-96. Analysis of the second wave of democratic transition in Eastern and Central Europe’s “color revolutions” has tended to focus on causal variables such as regional diffusion, leadership strategy, and popular protest. Yet it may be inaccurate to describe the postcommunist authoritarian turnovers the region has witnessed as part of a “wave”; longer-term variables such as state and party capacity and the strength of a country’s connection to the West may held shed light on why certain countries have experienced such revolutions while others have not. READ MORE

The Bush years and after

BUSH'S LEGACY. David Frum, Foreign Policy, Sep/Oct 2008, var. pages. "He may be the most unpopular president in modern times: a reckless, unilateralist cowboy. But history will be kinder to George W. Bush than contemporary caricatures. After eight years, he leaves behind much more than a defeated dictator in Iraq. Closer ties to India, a pragmatic relationship with China, and the pressure he applied to Iran will pay dividends for years to come." READ MORE

THE NEXT PRESIDENT'S DAUNTING AGENDA. Richard Holbrooke, Foreign Affairs, Sep/Oct 2008, var. pages. "The next U.S. president will inherit a more difficult set of international challenges than any predecessor since World War II." READ MORE

THE SEPTEMBER 12 PARADIGM: AMERICA, THE WORLD, AND GEORGE W.BUSH. Robert Kagan, Foreign Affairs, Sep/Oct 2008, var. pages. "The next administration must learn from Bush's mistakes, but should not shy away from using U.S. power to promote American values. READ MORE

Doing the Good Thing

THE CALIFORNIA CONSENSUS: CAN PRIVATE AID END GLOBAL POVERTY? Raj M. Desai, and Homi Kharas, Survival, Aug/Sep2008, pp. 155–168. "Global philanthropy is remaking the relationship between the world's rich and poor. Private aid - aid provided by foundations, corporations, non-governmental organisations, and individuals - has doubled over the past decade and may soon overtake 'official' foreign aid. Something of a consensus has developed around the emergence of private aid - that is it is less prone to corruption and more likely to benefit the poor." READ MORE

SAVING THE WORLD: SOME RESTRICTIONS APPLY. G. Pascal Zachary, John R. Miller, Holly Yeager, Matthew Connelly, Wilson Quarterly, Summer 2008, pp. 43-66. "Never has the humanitarian impulse been stronger. From Darfur to Myanmar, every crisis elicits global compassion and offers of assistance. But while today's many eager helping hands are accomplishing a great deal, they must move with care, for even the most high-minded aid can sometimes do a lot of harm." READ MORE

SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE INVESTORS: CAN INVESTORS DO WELL BY DOING GOOD?  Thomas J. Billitteri, The CQ Researcher,  Aug 29, 2008, pp. 673-696. "Socially responsible investing, which combines financial goals with the aim of improving society through stock screening, shareholder activism and other methods, has grown into a multi-trillion-dollar industry. Concerns about climate change, worker rights and other issues are prompting big institutional accounts as well as small investors to put more and more emphasis on social, environmental and corporate-governance." READ MORE

The Middle East, Democracy and Terrorism

COMTE'S CAVEAT: HOW WE MISUNDERSTAND TERRORISM. Adam Garfinkle, Orbis, Summer 2008, pp. 403-421. "Since the end of the Cold War, and particularly since September 11, 2001, the U.S. Government has substantially misunderstood its circumstances and has launched policies based on a compound error that has made those circumstances worse. The error consists of three parts: thinking the United States had more usable power after the Cold War when it had less; misreading the sources of apocalyptical terrorism; and failing to correct its misreading because of a bias set deep in its own political culture. Seeing the situation and the problems as they really are would lead to vast changes in both foreign and homeland security policies." READ MORE

ISLAMIST PARTIES AND DEMOCRACY. Tamara Cofman Wittes et al. Journal of Democracy, July 2008, pp. 5-54. " The rise of Islamist parties poses new challenges to efforts to understand the relationship between Islam and democracy. A diverse group of authors investigates this new phenomenon and its implications for the future of democracy in the Middle East." READ MORE

Diversity

LOOKING FOR THE COUNTRY’S SMARTEST NEWSCASTS? SWITCH TO ESPANOL. Joe Mathews.  Washington Post, May 11, 2008, pp. B1, B4.  The author, fellow at the New America Foundation, writes that Spanish-language broadcast media are becoming increasingly sophisticated and newsworthy, at the same time as English-language television broadcast networks and radio stations are airing more trivial material to try to boost ratings. In a recent survey of Los Angeles-area TV stations, the Spanish-language stations had many more longer and deeply reported pieces, such as an explanation of the ongoing mortgage crisis, local politics and key policy issues in the presidential campaign. While some critics complain that Spanish TV is more advocacy than journalism, the author notes that the “upside of the advocacy approach is serious reporting and newscasts with broader perspectives; viewers are engaged more as citizens than consumers.” READ MORE

Journalism in the 21st Century

THE CHANGING NEWSROOM. Journalism.org, posted July 21, 2008.  In all aspects, ranging from staffing to content, American newspapers are changing at a dizzying rate. In a survey of more than 250 local and national papers, the Project for Excellence in Journalism details developments such as the decline of independent foreign and national news coverage and the rise of mobile journalists deployed to send in video footage for the paper’s Web site. The analysis of its survey results gives a comprehensive look at the state of U.S. newspapers today and a glimpse into their uncertain future. READ MORE

HANDHELD HEADLINES. Emmett, Arielle. American Journalism Review, August / September 2008.  News organizations are pinning their hopes of survival on producing content aimed at consumers using cell phones and other mobile devices, but so far the results of their efforts are inconclusive. Mobile news is currently only a tiny share of the market, and users tend to be young, sophisticated and interested only in information of immediate use to themselves and which is easily attainable with just a few clicks. As of now, the most successful publishers of mobile content are the most focused -- “channelized”, in industry jargon -- to the needs of select audiences.  READ MORE

DON’T FEAR TWITTER.  Dickerson, John. Nieman Reports, Summer 2008.  Are the 140-word entries on the Web site “Twitter” trivializing journalism? No, says Dickerson, the chief political correspondent for Slate. Twitter, he says, is “informal and approachable and great for conveying a little moment from an event. If written the right way, Twitter entries build a community of readers who find their way to longer articles because they are lured by these moment-by-moment observations.” Himself a Twitter reader, Dickerson says Twitter has exposed him to a wider variety of news and “keen political observers and sharp writers who have never practiced journalism.”  READ MORE

CROSSING LINES.  Garber, Megan. Columbia Journalism Review, July-August 2008.  Michael Happy, a Detroit News sports reporter, is blurring the lines between “objective” reporting and advocacy – and he doesn’t care. A former resident of Fletcher Field, a five-acre neighborhood near Detroit’s City Airport, Happy launched last year a blog on the newspaper’s Web site called “Going Home: A Journal on Detroit’s Neighborhoods.” Working with community leaders, the blog has served as a voice to the “invisible” poor and a tool for coalition building and advocacy. Current residents, many of whom do not have access to computers, funnel their personal stories to community leaders, who then communicate them to Happy. Fletcher Field is still poor, rundown and extremely dangerous, but changes have been impressive. Thanks to the blog, the neighborhood has gotten attention and help from former residents and city officials who have mobilized to improve the park and overall living conditions. Happy acknowledges that some observers feel the blog “teeters on the line between ethical and unethical journalism,” but he adds: “I got into this business to try to help people -- I think the park project, its aftermath and this blog are doing just that.” READ MORE

American Values

THE INNOVATION IMPERATIVE.  Bracco, Tara. American Theatre, July / August 2008, pp. 36-41.  American theater is looking for innovative methods to increase their attendance and solvency. In November of last year, the Theatre Communications Group (TCG) held a two-day event called “Cultivating Innovation: From the Board Room to the Box Office”, focusing on new ideas to help non-profit theaters. The author cites the New York Metropolitan Opera, which is increasing opera’s audience by transmitting production into several hundred movie theaters in North America and Europe, and is advertising on New York buses and doing telecasts on screens in Times Square and Lincoln Center. Another area ripe for reconsideration is the traditional expectation that 50 to 70 percent of theater’s budget should be derived from ticket sales; this is changing, as endowments have grown in size, allowing some theaters to cut ticket prices to attract a younger audience and increase attendance. In the end, each theater company must find its own innovative way to financial stability. READ MORE

MY WIRED YOUTH.  Heffernan, Virginia. New York Times Magazine, February 3, 2008, pp. 20-21.  Heffernan remembers her adolescence 25 years ago when she discovered the nascent Internet through Xcaliber, an early social-networking technology developed by Dartmouth College. Using Xcaliber, Virginia discovered Conference XYZ, a live chat option on the network. XYZ became Virginia’s hobby: “For years, I dated, studied, endured heartbreak and hazing and crossed and double-crossed everyone in a mysterious online netherworld called Xcaliber. By the time I turned 13, I was confident I knew every single person online. Xcaliber taught me to type, talk to adults, experiment with fantastic personas and new idioms, spot lechers by their online styles and avoid ideologues who post in all caps.” In all this was an exciting, albeit possibly dangerous online world for a teenager to explore. Having explored an early version of the internet has allowed Virginia to understand and identify with the experiences of today’s teenagers as they chat on the internet, just as she did, 25 years ago. READ MORE

END-OF-LIFE CARE: INTO THE SUNSET. Economist, July 31, 2008.  The hospice movement is dedicated to caring for, rather than trying to cure, the terminally ill. This idea of limiting care to physical and emotional pain relief for people with identifiably fatal diseases is widely accepted. But now questions are arising about the appropriate way to deal with elderly people who will never be well, but have no idea when they will die. A common gripe about American nursing homes is that their residents are still all too likely to be rushed off to hospital as they begin to die. Some reasons for this are legal, but all too often nursing home staff do not share “the live-and-let-die convictions of the hospice movement.” What is needed, the author says, is honest, extensive discussions on palliative care for the elderly -– both among health care workers as well as with the general public. READ MORE