Transition to Democracy

This programme uses the radio and Internet to explore the successes, challenges, and dangers, and challenges that confront a fledgling democracy. Examples of questions examined include: "How have many countries worldwide successfully changed from authoritarian regimes to more liberal, representative democracies?", "How [have] the negotiated settlement between the White minority government and the opposition ANC effectively ended the apartheid system and put South Africa on the road to democracy?", and "What does democracy mean for ordinary Burmese citizens?"

The 12-minute radio programmes are broadcast during the BBC Burmese Monday evening programmes; they can be heard on the BBC Burmese Service website.

Each programme in the series features a number of interviews, highlighting the sense in which radio can facilitate conversation and exchange. For example, an introductory programme examined "the meaning of democracy" (asking: Can it be identified as Asian, African or Western? Can a country thrive without democratic governance?); interviewees included Moe Thee Zun, a student leader during the 1988 uprisings; a former student leader who is now a businessman in Rangoon; Dr. Benjamin Reilly, Associate Professor of Political Science at the Australian National University; Professor Robert A. Dahl, Professor Emeritus at Yale University; and Mr. Thomas Carothers of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Washington, DC. Among the interviewees in the May 2004 broadcast "Why democratic aspirations have so far failed in Burma" was Nagani U Tun Aye, a 90-year-old veteran politician and proprietor of a literature house that promoted patriotism among young Burmese, pre-independence.

Listeners are encouraged to get engaged in the questions posed by each programme through online forums hosted on the BBC Burmese Service website.

Political Development.

Created in 1995, IDEA is an inter-governmental organisation with member states from all continents that works to support sustainable democracy worldwide by bolstering the design of key democratic institutions and processes through improved knowledge and understanding. IDEA brings together those who analyse and monitor trends in democracy and those who engage directly in political reform or act in support of democracy at home and abroad.