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.

Straw: Turkey is EU 'Acid Test'

Turkey is no man's land in the "clash of civilizations"
Tom Happold
March 23, 2004

Bush Administration Should Stop Turning Refugees Away

Asylum cases deserve fair hearing
Cheryl Little
March 9, 2004

Saudi Women Get the Vote

In municipal elections this October, women will be allowed at the polls
Brian Whitaker
March 10, 2004

Africa's Potemkin Deception

Western donor governments and aid agencies overstate their success in Africa
Michael Holman
January 19, 2004

Obama’s Worst Pakistan Nightmare

Because of nuclear weapons, Pakistan stands as the bigger challenge for Obama than either Iraq or Afghanistan
David E. Sanger
January 13, 2009