Jezebel: Democracy

Seven Things You Should Know About Egypt's Elections

Erin Gloria Ryan — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 19:00:00 EST

Today, Egyptians are heading to the polls to cast their ballots in the first stage of the first truly free parliamentary elections in the country since Hosni Mubarak seized power in 1981. Enthusiasm is tempered by suspicion, and security is tight. But what in the world is going on? More »

Hundreds Of Syrian Women March In Protest

Irin Carmon — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 16:40:00 EDT

Hundreds of women in Syria marched today, demanding the release of 350 men who were rounded up by authorities in connection with pro-democracy protests. More »

Wheaton Terrier Elected President of Civic Association

Erin Gloria Ryan — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 13:12:00 EST

If you thought democracy had jumped the shark with Gore vs. Harris, you were wrong. The election of George W. Bush to the American presidency was only a practice jump on the designated high powered motorcycle of America. Now that a dog has been elected president of a Maryland Civic association, consider that fish cleared and democracy officially a travesty. A travesty, I say! More »

Court Rejects Suu Kyi's Appeal • France To Chemically Castrate Sex Offenders?

Katy Kelleher — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 17:30:00 EDT

• A Burmese court has rejected pro-democracy leader Suu Kyi's recent appeal. Kyi will be placed under house arrest for the next 18 months, which will effectively keep her out of the way during the upcoming elections. • More »

While Mao's Away...

Anna Holmes — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 17:10:00 EDT

[Beijing, June 3. Image via Getty]

The Dalai Lama said yesterday that he may...

Margaret Hartmann — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 18:15:00 EST

The Dalai Lama said yesterday that he may choose a young girl to be his successor and indicated that he's ready to pass his political role on to Tibetans in exile. The 73-year-old monk embraced pro-democracy Chinese activist Chin Jin in front of reporters and said he may pick his successor before he passes away. His statements sent a message that he wants to block the Chinese from picking up the next Dalai Lama. "The future of the Dalai Lama institution will be decided by the people," he said. "If they don't want it, it should cease to exist." [Times of India] More »

Meet Italian Cabinet Member Mara Carfagna, A Woman Of Many, Um, Parts

Moe — Fri, 16 May 2008 16:40:00 EDT

Usually when my little brother sends me tips they have to do with the idiocy of Bush or organized religion or... well anyway, to get to the point, I was somewhat baffled when he sent me a link to this picture on a German website. I clicked about as far as here before I was just like "We're all always searching for new sources of free porn but um now's not the time, broseph!" But as it turns out, this is a serious issue! Meet Mara Carfagna, Silvio Berlusconi's new Minister Of Equal Opportunities. A lot of hands have been wrung over why the Italians would vote for that guy again — aside, you know, from his whole King of all media thing — but until now we did not really realize he had such inspired brain trust. See, Mara Carfagna — rhymes with Barack Obama! — is one of those transcendent politicians whose rich and varied biography gives her a persona that can resonate with anyone. A photo essay of Hope (and humps!) after the jump. More »