As governments confront many challenges that are global in scale, leaders find they must cooperate in responding to financial, climate, terrorism and other crises. As a result, a global audience has developed keen interest in how and why nations select their leaders. On one hand, citizens expect sensible and collective action, transparency and fair representation; on the other hand, citizens and leaders fret about compromising security, sovereignty or loss of control. Diplomats and global organizations like the United Nations aim to achieve a balance, even as global communications allow citizens in democracies or authoritarian states to steer attention to issues. Attention to citizen demands and multilateral cooperation contribute to stability.

Nations Vow Corruption Fight

The Organization of American States pledges to fight corruption, adopts a resolution on defending democracies
Nancy San Martin
June 9, 2004

The Case for Hypocrisy

History tells us that limited sovereignty after occupation can be the most progressive solution
Niall Ferguson
June 7, 2004

N Korea Offers US Pledge on Weapons

Kim promises not to supply nuclear materials to terrorists
Victor Mallet
May 3, 2004

Business as Usual

Despite worldwide condemnation of torture, the Iraqi Governing Council has been virtually silent
Nermeen Al-Mufti
May 7, 2004

Ranking the Rich 2004

The 2004 Commitment to Development Index ranks 21 rich nations on how their policies help poor countries
May 3, 2004