The Summit for Democracy: What the Media Missed

Media coverage of the December 8-10 Summit for Democracy has largely focused on President Joe Biden’s remarks, coupled with critical reactions from China, Russia, and skeptical U.S. pundits. Few U.S. commentators seem to have bothered to listen to the three days of often thoughtful remarks by other world leaders and the many intelligent, emotionally engaging panelists representing a broad swath of civil society, business, and academia.

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Will the release of the Pandora Papers lead to any change?

The Pandora Papers illustrate the evils of financial secrecy, transnational corruption, and money laundering, as well as the ability of politicians, high-net-worth individuals, and criminals to hide their money. They also show the insatiable temptations of financial confidentiality and the growing knack of the ICIJ to expose financial secrecy.

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In Mexico, AMLO’s anti-corruption referendum falls flat

Last Sunday, a popular referendum—and flagship project of President of Mexico Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO)—asked Mexican voters whether ex-government officials should be subject to investigation and prosecution for allegations of impunity and corruption. However, the referendum, a key component of AMLO’s promises to crack down on graft and government impropriety, was a flop, drawing the participation of only seven percent of eligible voters, well below the 40 percent voter turnout threshold required for the referendum result to be legally binding (although over 98 percent of those who did cast ballots voted in favor of facilitating the prosecution of ex-officials).

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Governance and electoral continuity and change in the Caribbean

The Caribbean has long enjoyed a reputation for being one of the most democratic regions in the world. Despite the Caribbean’s seeming confidence in the ballot, however, countries in the region nevertheless face considerable challenges in keeping their democracies alive. Elections alone do not make a democracy; rather, there are many other factors that must be taken into consideration in order to ensure good governance.

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Suriname’s corruption and money laundering challenges

Earlier this month, the findings of Suriname’s National Risk Assessment on anti-money laundering and corruption were released. While the country has made progress, it faces a continued struggle to reshape a history and culture of deep institutional corruption.

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Is good governance in Suriname a bridge too far?

Suriname’s governance deficiencies have been well-documented by a multilateral organizations citing it for corruption, nepotism, and drug trafficking, but this does not necessarily mean that the country has not made any progress in fighting corruption and reaching toward a higher quality of governance.

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