Friday digest-open thread 3/28/08

This week saw the creation of the world's newest democracy in Bhutan. The question is, can a democracy function without an opposition party? In Monday's vote, all but two of the 47 seats in the new Bhutanese parliament were swept by the pro-royalist Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT). Today, however, Reuters India is reporting that the opposition People's Democratic Party "said the country's first ever general election had been unfair and they would resign from parliament." Bhutan is perhaps best known for the Gross National Happiness index that values the well-being of people above any other profit measures. Will the good vibes continue as the nation grapples its way toward democracy? Stay tuned, and weigh in if you like at the Deliberative Democracy's Consortium blog on the subject.

Speaking of the DDC, today's email brought one of my favorite monthly reads, the DDC eBulletin. Many of the items collected by editor Lars Hasselblad Torres and his international cast of contributors find their way into posts here each month. You can email contributions here and read past issues and subscribe here.

There's been a lot of ink spilled and bytes - well, whatever bytes do - this election season over the rise of youth in American politics and public life. Adam Fletcher begs to differ. Writing at his Younger World blog, Fletcher says this is "No Country for Young People" because we are far more occupied with our middle-aged and senior populations than we are with children and young adults. He notes that youth involvement in civic life is far more robust overseas, and that "instead of being an occasional, one-off activity or an underfunded, underutilized grassroots movement, these efforts are systemic, operationalized and powerful." Read more here.

Meanwhile, in another topic of keen interest to young Americans, the next edition of the public radio show Justice Talking will ponder whether college admissions are becoming more elitist than ever. Here's the description: "The college admissions process has changed significantly in recent years, particularly for students seeking to get into the nation’s most elite universities. Should these schools' admissions policies favor athletes and children of alumni? Should low-income and minority students be a priority? Or should top schools only enroll the smartest and most academically accomplished? We also talk about the obstacles and misconceptions facing students who attend community college. Tune in to this edition of Justice Talking as we ask how money and privilege affect the college admissions process and whether reforms are necessary." Click here to find a station airing the show near you.

Many of us here at Everyday Democracy are fans of Parker Palmer and his Center for Courage and Renewal, which (according to its website) works "to help teachers, physicians, clergy and others 'rejoin soul and role,' renewing their passion for their work, reclaiming its basic values and deepening their service to others." Palmer recently spoke to the Commonwealth Club of California on "How to Build a Democracy." The 53-minute presentation can be heard here via American Public Media's Word for Word program. So sometime this weekend, why not get comfy on the couch and hear what he has to say?

Comments

[Julie Fanselow]

Forgot to say ... thanks to my colleagues John and Nick for the head's up on the youth activism, college admissions, and Parker Palmer items this week.

[Lars Hasselblad Torres]

Good point about the Bhutan vote. It kind of stands to reason though, that if most Bhutanese weren't really open to the vote, let's say 'adored' their king, that they'd go with the party that is loyal to him, right?

It is their first election and according to some accounts there was not a great deal of difference in the platforms of each party - so the question in my mind is, "Is opposition for opposition's sake a good thing?"

Perhaps as issues of an accountable government's performance become more and more a part of the public debate, we'll see a commensurate rise in opposition voices. Right now, it seems a little too early to fret it.

Thanks so much for the eBulletin props!