The International Freedom Network is a London-based think tank devoted to promoting the grassroots struggle for real democratic change in the former Soviet Union.

IFN believes open discussion and multi-party democratic participation in the political process of post-Soviet countries will help bring about much-needed improvements in living standards, regional stability and the business climate.

Context

Massive oil finds, regional security fears, the process of European Union enlargement and momentous political change in Georgia have all cast the international spotlight on post-Soviet Eurasia in recent years. But while the region is increasingly drawn into global geopolitics of a globalised world, liberal democracy has made few inroads and stagnant Soviet-style political systems remain in place. In some countries, the same Soviet leaders are still in place and many grant only the bare minimum of democratic freedoms to their people.

Across the former Soviet Union, there are people who want to change all this. Opposition parties are often not registered or are severely discriminated against. But they are beginning to gain more widespread public support as the failures of over a decade of transition become increasingly evident and the contrasts with post-Soviet Central Europe are ever more glaring. Representatives of the opposition are frequently muzzled by the authorities through media controls or judicial persecution.

The IFN promotes an idea of democracy that goes beyond the 'virtual democracy' in place in much of the former Soviet Union. Opposition parties should not only be allowed to register to create the semblance of a multi-party state but also be allowed to operate freely and participate in fair elections. The political climate in which they operate must also have an independent media in place and grant wider freedoms of expression to the population. Disgruntled citizens should be allowed to criticize their state in public without fear of persecution.

Across the former Soviet Union, there are people who want to change all this. Opposition parties are often unregistered or severely discriminated against but they are gaining in public support, particularly in states where fast-rising income inequalities are spreading resentment among the population. Representatives of the opposition are frequently muzzled by the authorities through media controls or told to quieten down in no uncertain terms. But still they will not be silent and this think tank is their forum.

There is no historical determinism condemning Eurasia to authoritarian rule. It is possible to achieve real democratic change in all parts of the region relatively quickly and still retaining stability. IFN will encourage a comparative approach with other post-Soviet countries. In the business community in particular, there are many who believe existing political systems suit their needs because of stable long-term relations with the same group over a number of years. But there are also downsides that opposition parties are highlighting more and more, such as corruption and bureaucratic interference. IFN will seek to introduce a crucial business perspective in the debate on democratization.

Eurasia has some of the fastest growing economies in the world and two energy producers - Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan - that are set to join the major league of oil exporting countries in the medium-term. But international financial institutions have repeatedly warned on the problem of oil dependency and delays in structural reforms in many of these countries. IFN will explore the role of democratic reforms in this transition process, as well as assess the importance of revenue transparency. It will also look into links between the political systems in place and some of the security challenges that these countries often face.

After over a decade of political stagnation, the people of Eurasia are tired of ageing leaderships, unfair elections and Soviet-style authoritarian systems. It is high time to help bring about real change.