When measuring democracy and choosing indicators is using a minimal or broad definition going to produce more accurate and reliable results? Alvarez, Cheibub, Limongi and Przeworski pursued a minimalist approach in which they chose to exclude indicators such as accountability, representation, responsiveness and freedoms/rights. Can we still get a reliable, accurate and holistic coverage of democracy in a country without accounting for the aforementioned indicators? Is focusing on constraints, autonomy and competition sufficient to prove or disprove whether a country is in turn democratic?

The alternative is the Political Regime Change (PRC) data set that moves away from a dichotomous classification that limits the indicators coverage of level of democracy within a country. The PRC data set includes political and civil rights/liberties as well as intermediate groups between democracy and dictatorship. With more labels and more indicators as well as a more expansive definition of democracy, can the PRC system in comparison to the previous system provide a more reliable and accurate measure of democracy?

In my attempt to re-live Beyonce’s stunning half-time performance at the Superbowl last night I stumbled upon a website that ranked some of the top half-time performances. As my favorite part of the Superbowl (aside from the commercials that us Canadians are deprived of) is the half-time… unfortunately not the game itself. After looking at several websites U2’s 2002 performance and tribute to the survivors and victims of 9/11 ranked highest as the best half-time performance.
Then comes a skewed definition of best–talent or as in most memorable– cause Justin Timberlake’s and Janet Jackson’s 2004 half-time performance is in many sites’ top 3 as producing a very memorable (yet scandalous) performance where Ms. Jackson experienced a wardrobe malfunction.
Lastly, my parents generation must be the top voters of half-time show performances or most avid watchers of the Superbowl as most of the top bands and singers became popular in the 1980’s/90’s. Bruce Springsteen, Prince, Michael Jackson and the Rolling Stones are top 10 favorites for half-time Superbowl performances. There must be an underlying attraction between classic rock and American football.

Cuba may have quote-on-quote free and fair elections but the country is still far from relinquishing some of its communist antics. The BBC reports that Fidel Castro was spotted for the first time in months participating in the country’s recent parliamentary elections. Despite everyone’s right to participate in elections, these elections fail to meet Schumpeter’s minimal definition of democracy. No opposition parties are allowed in Cuban elections therefore inhibiting competition in elections. Also the leaders running in the elections have been chosen and pre-approved by the ruling Communist Party. It is a small step in the right direction, but it is not enough for Cuba to join the ranks of other democratic states. Maybe one day we will witness the democratization of Cuba–one of the last countries that still has a communist regime.