Subject: Democratic transition
April 1992, Volume 3, Issue 2
Exploring the End of History
A review of The End of History and the Last Man, by Francis Fukuyama.
January 1992, Volume 3, Issue 1
Old Paradigms & New Openings in Latin America
Read the full essay here.
January 1992, Volume 3, Issue 1
The Surging Tide of Democracy
A review of The Third Wave: Democratization in the Late Twentieth Century, by Samuel P. Huntington
Summer 1991, Volume 2, Issue 3
Debate—Proportional Representation: The Problem with PR
Read the full essay here.
Summer 1991, Volume 2, Issue 3
The Unfinished Revolution
Read the full essay here. The Editors’ introduction to “The Unfinished Revolution.”
Summer 1991, Volume 2, Issue 3
Reconstituting South Africa
A review of A Democratic South Africa? Constitutional Engineering in a Divided Society, by Donald L. Horowitz.
Spring 1991, Volume 2, Issue 2
Democracy’s Third Wave
Read the full essay here. Image credit: UPI/Bettmann Archive/Getty Images
Winter 1991, Volume 2, Issue 1
After Leninism: Why Democracy Can Work in Eastern Europe
Read the full essay here.
Fall 1990, Volume 1, Issue 4
South Africa’s Future
The Editors’ introduction to “South Africa’s Future.”
Fall 1990, Volume 1, Issue 4
South Africa’s Future: A Turbulent Transition
Read the full essay here.
Fall 1990, Volume 1, Issue 4
South Africa’s Future: Symposium—Inkatha Freedom Party
Read the full essay here.
Fall 1990, Volume 1, Issue 4
South Africa’s Future: Symposium—Pan Africanist Congress
Read the full essay here.
Fall 1990, Volume 1, Issue 4
South Africa’s Future: Symposium—African National Congress
Fall 1990, Volume 1, Issue 4
South Africa’s Future: Symposium—Anglo American Corporation
Read the full essay here.
Fall 1990, Volume 1, Issue 4
South Africa’s Future: Symposium—Conservative Party
Read the full essay here.
Fall 1990, Volume 1, Issue 4
South Africa’s Future: Symposium—National Party
Read the full essay here.
Fall 1990, Volume 1, Issue 4
South Africa’s Future: Symposium—Democratic Party
Read the full essay here.
Fall 1990, Volume 1, Issue 4
Paraguay After Stroessner: Democratizing the One-Party State
Read the full essay here.
Fall 1990, Volume 1, Issue 4
Paraguay After Stroessner: One Step Away from Democracy
Read the full essay here.
Summer 1990, Volume 1, Issue 3
Nicaragua’s Choice: Old and New Politics in Managua
Read the full essay here.
Summer 1990, Volume 1, Issue 3
Third World Communism in Crisis: The Fall of Afro-Marxism
Read the full essay here.
Spring 1990, Volume 1, Issue 2
Chile After Pinochet: Lessons from the Past, Hopes for the Future
Read the full essay here.
Spring 1990, Volume 1, Issue 2
“People, Your Government Has Returned to You!”
Read the full essay here.
Spring 1990, Volume 1, Issue 2
Stabilizing Latin Democracy
A review of Democracy in the Americas: Stopping the Pendulum, edited by Robert A. Pastor.
Winter 1990, Volume 1, Issue 1
Tiananmen and Beyond: China’s Great Leap Backward
This past spring the world looked on in wonder as millions filled the streets of Beijing and 80 other Chinese cities, defying the Communist regime and demanding democracy.
Winter 1990, Volume 1, Issue 1
The Crumbling of the Soviet Bloc
The Editors’ introduction to “The Crumbling Soviet Bloc.”
Winter 1990, Volume 1, Issue 1
The Crumbling of the Soviet Bloc: Overcoming Totalitarianism
Read the full essay here.
Winter 1990, Volume 1, Issue 1
The Crumbling of the Soviet Bloc: Poland and Hungary in Transition
Read the full essay here.
Winter 1990, Volume 1, Issue 1
The Crumbling of the Soviet Bloc: The Democratic Revolution
Read the full essay here.
April 2026, Volume 37, Issue 2
How to Secure Venezuelan Democracy
Venezuela has a path to democracy, but it requires dismantling the old regime. María Corina Machado, the country’s true democratic leader, must signal her credibility as a moderate through a framework of transitional justice. It won’t be perfect justice, but it is Venezuela’s best hope.
Venezuela’s Best Chance for Democracy
The country’s civil society is reemerging, opposition leaders are returning, and activists are taking to the streets. Even more, Washington has the leverage to bring about real change. Will it seize the moment?
What Nicaragua Teaches Us About Saving Venezuela’s Democracy
Nicaragua is a corrupt, dictatorial outpost. But it didn’t have to be the case. And its path offers valuable lessons for how to achieve a successful democratic transition in Venezuela today.
Cómo Venezuela realmente se convierte en una democracia
El país suramericano puede estar a punto de un cambio real. Pero no va a terminar en un caos de guerra civil como el de Libia. Será difícil, imperfecto y mucho mejor que lo que los venezolanos han tenido que aguantar.
Cómo piensa sobrevivir la dictadura de Maduro
Delcy Rodríguez y sus compinches no se van a rendir así nomás. Piensan adaptarse y sabotear cualquier intento de restaurar la democracia en Venezuela. Esta es su estrategia.
Why the United States Shouldn’t Run Venezuela
Nicolás Maduro has been removed, but the dictatorship he led remains. If this period of American tutelage drags too long, it will be a recipe for disaster for Venezuela and the United States.
How Venezuela Actually Becomes a Democracy
The South American country may be on the verge of real change. But it isn’t going to descend into civil-war chaos like Libya. It will be difficult, imperfect, and far better than what Venezuelans have had to endure.
Senegal’s Remarkable Win for Democracy
In February, the West African country appeared to be on the cusp of chaos as its president tried to seize power for himself. How Senegal became one of 2024’s biggest democratic success stories.
Getting Over the Third Wave
Samuel Huntington’s classic theory offered a new way of understanding democracy’s global trajectory. But amid rising populism and increasingly aggressive authoritarian leaders, has Huntington’s thesis outlived its usefulness?
Why NATO Is More Than Democracy’s Best Defense
On its 75th anniversary, the Atlantic Alliance should be celebrated for being more than the world’s greatest military compact. It’s an engine of democracy’s advance.
Is Central America Doomed?
Of course not. But the region’s democratic hopes are fighting an uphill battle against corruption, crime, and a violent past.
The Man Who Dared to Change the World
Mikhail Gorbachev risked everything. Neither Russia nor the West could live up to his vision.
How Democracy Can Win Out in Sudan
The country just got a new chance to restore its democratic transition. Here’s how they can ensure that Sudan stays on the right path.