SalvatoreQuattro

December 21st, 2014 at 11:48 AM ^

Don't underestimate the newneess of democracy as a significant reason for the turnout in their elections. Afghanis haven't been jaded or frustrated yet by the perpetual squabbling that comes with a democracy.

 

 

"...democ­racy is the worst form of Gov­ern­ment except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.…" Winston Spencer Churchill.

Joined: 11/30/2010

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mgo한국

December 21st, 2014 at 12:44 PM ^

Not particularly familiar with the Afghan situation, so not insinuating it's the case here, but voting is legally required in some countries; in some cases (e.g. '80s Guatemala, El Salvador), the death squads running the country happened to target citizens without stamped IDs, verifying that they'd shown up and effectively pledged loyalty.

Again, I'm not suggest
Ing that's the case here, but it is another possibility to consider when long lines are seen at ballot boxes, especially under uncomfortable or unsafe circumstances, that some sort of external pressure could be involved.



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Joined: 01/12/2010

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Magnum P.I.

December 21st, 2014 at 10:45 AM ^

Pretty interesting perspective. What a university will pay a football coach could alternatively be used to create a permanent applied research center with support for a large group of scholars to tackle important global sociopolitical problems.

Joined: 07/16/2009

MGoPoints: 30724

Tslisher

December 21st, 2014 at 12:27 PM ^

This is not a disguised football donation. I know this person, having been involved with him a bit in the corporate world. Ron Weiser is a former RNC chairman and fundraiser and is very politically motivated. (He ran and lost recently for UofM regent). He made his money in real estate and has given charitably to a number of causes, with UofM his main gifts.

He was a former ambassador, and probably realistically intends his gift to be used for the purpose he gave it.

Joined: 09/14/2010

MGoPoints: 14

MGoUberBlue

December 21st, 2014 at 1:41 PM ^

Was in my class at B-School and has obviously done very well since graduation.

I would think that the donation will go to the Center for European Studies, which he was very instrumental in helping to establish and contribute funding in the past.

The director of the Center is a good friend and they are focusing on many of the Eastern Eurpean countries that suffered so much under the Germans in WW2 and then the Russians during the Cold War.

They have some wonderful programs and interesting speakers.

This is a great gift from the Weisers..............$50 million is no small change.  This is just another one of those things that makes UM such a great academic institution.

Joined: 06/06/2011

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