Posts Tagged ‘Democracy’
Wooden Language
There is nothing more natural than politicians’ use of language that is both pompous and unnecessary at the same time.
Read MoreMuzzling humor in the Ecuadorean Revolution
In Ecuador, Rafael Correa’s government muzzles critique and attacks satirists in an increasingly anti-democratic environment.
Read MoreIn Defense of Western Republicanism
The marches of the past January 11th in Paris were an impressive demonstration of republican unity, something we have not seen since the Second World War.
Read MoreA Luther for Football?
Could it be that football needs some sort of Luther-like figure that can try to reform and above all make more ethical the Papacy of FIFA, even at the risk that it could lead to a veritable football schism? It’s a metaphor worth exploring.
Read MoreCompulsory Voting without Democracy?
Given that Colombia has been a country historically afflicted with low electoral turn-out, each election cycle commentators argue in favor and against compulsory voting.
Read MoreThe Lawyers of Power
When I was a law student, many countries in Latin America were governed by military juntas. But in Colombia, the president was a civilian and we regularly had elections. The professors in my department saw that contrast as a reason to exalt the civilian tradition of our people.
Read MoreLess than What the Land Gives Us
According to a popular saying, societies have the governments they deserve, and by extension, the customs and politicians they deserve. There is something both true and false about this saying.
Read MoreThe Catholic Opinion
In a previous column about the Catholic Church’s campaigns against abortion, gay marriage, euthanasia and divorce, I said that it seemed as though Catholics today were listening to Martin Luther, 500 years too late.
Read MoreEthics and Economics
Some weeks I can’t find a topic to write about and on others I have too many topics. On this occassion I have in mind three topics: one about the Oxfam report about global inequality published on January 20th, another about President Obama´s State of the Union last Tuesday, and another about a conference that Michael Sandel gave last Thursday at Los Andes University.
Read MoreThe Law as a Form of Politics
Carl Von Clausewitz once said that war is the continuation of politics through other means. Many Colombians think that something similar happened with the law here; that is, the the legal debates are a continuations of politics by other means. At least that appears to be the opinion of the 73 percent of residents of Bogota who believe the removal of their mayor Petro from office was unjust.
Read MoreCan the Inspector General remove Petro from office?
Two reasons why the answer would be “no”. It is practically a done deal the the Inspector General will apply disciplinary sanctions in Gustavo Petro’s case. The mayor will not only be removed from office, he will also be unable to hold public office for a good amount of time (10, 15, 18 years).
Read MoreA Court Scandal?
Is it, as several analysts have pointed out, an abuse, an excessive formalism or cowardice that the Constitutional Court decided to strike down the reform that broadens military jurisdiction because of a procedural problem?
Read MorePrison for Protesting?
It had been a long time since such an objectionable, anti-democratic and unconstitutional piece of legislation, like the one presented by the Minister of Defense, meant to punish with jail time those who go out in to the streets to protest, was presented in Congress.
Read MoreThe Inspector General’s Office: Unnecessary or Dangerous?
The Constitutional Court´s approval of the disciplinary measures against Piedad Córdoba shows the Inspector General´s enormous power. It is an unchecked power, since not even the Court can impose clear limits on it.
Read More