The Odds of Democratic Consolidation in the Middle East

Having slammed Ron Bailey's "oil curse" thesis a few days ago, it now behooves me to give him kudos for an interesting piece interpreting political economy models of democratic transition and consolidation in light of the popular uprisings in the Middle East. Check it out; it's well worth your time.

Egypt’s Protests Likely to Continue

I just watched Hosni Mubarak announce that he will be stepping down as President of Egypt in September and will not run in that month's elections. However, I do not think that this move will quell the protests. The protestors have of course been demanding that Mubarak resign immediately, but beyond that, there is a …