-
-
La svastica: tutti la cercano tutti la cliccano
Come mai la svastica appare nella top list delle parole più cercate su Google? Attacco dei neo- nazi ad Internet, o strana coincidenza considerato che il simbolo è presente tra gli ideogrammi cinesi e comunque è un simbolo antico?
Di questi tempi bisogna fare molta attenzione... Come mai la svastica appare nella top list delle parole più cercate su Google? Attacco dei neo- nazi ad Internet, o strana coincidenza... more -
Lost in Democracy
Hidden near the Himalayas between India and Tibet, the kingdom of Bhutan has long been shrouded in mystery. Sometimes called the last Shangri-La, its a lushly forested land where people wear traditional robes, where policy is guided by Gross National Happiness, and where Tantric Buddhist saints are celebrated with paintings of gigantic penises. But Bhutan is on the verge of change. This year, it will transform itself from an absolute monarchy to a parliamentary democracy a move that leaves many young Bhutanese puzzled and uneasy. When His Majesty first informed us he was going to change the government, there were lots of people who couldnt speak, says one activist. They wished it was just a dream. Current Correspondent Christof Putzel travels to Bhutan to find out how young people are dealing with democracy, westernization, and other challenges to their unique national culture. Hidden near the Himalayas between India and Tibet, the kingdom of Bhutan has long been shrouded in mystery. Sometimes called the last... more
-
Current Vanguard: Lost in Democracy
Vanguard Journalist Christof Putzel visits the country of Bhutan, often called the last Shangri-la, to gauge the peoples' reaction to the country's switch from monarchy to democracy.
Premieres, Wednesday, April 2nd
10PM ET/7PM PT
Vanguard Journalist Christof Putzel visits the country of Bhutan, often called the last Shangri-la, to gauge the peoples' reaction to ... more -
Bhutan: Lost in democracy
Like many Americans of my generation, I crave national unity and a leader to follow after what seems like a lifetime of political polarization. We're called blindly optimistic, naïve and hopelessly inexperienced.
Perhaps we are. I grew up in Washington DC, where my journalist parents covered numerous campaigns and administrations. I rarely questioned the system we have for selecting our leaders.
Then I went to Bhutan.
Today, the citizens of Bhutan elected their first democratic government as their beloved king voluntarily and on his own initiative relinquished absolute power.
When I heard about Bhutan holding its first general election, I jumped at the chance to cover what I thought would be a good-news story about the world's newest democracy. As a correspondent for Current, most of my stories, it seems, are about conflict and crisis.
But when I got to Bhutan last month to capture the run-up to the elections for Current's "Vanguard" series, the democratic process looked very unlike the presidential races I was used to. The first debate between the presidents of the country's two new political parties produced no sparks. The candidates didn't really disagree on anything. In fact, it wasn't what I would call a debate at all. The party leaders complimented each other instead of sniping, and rather than calling for change, they spoke of preserving the policies of the king.
The country seemed too quiet to be a democracy. People were reluctant to say which candidates they preferred. It wasn't just that they were still grappling to understand their new form of government after a century of unity under a king. They liked the lives they had, guided by a concept invented by His Majesty called Gross National Happiness. And as they looked around at the neighboring "democracies" in Nepal, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan they saw corruption, strife, misery and uncertainty. Most countries make the transition to democracy by popular demand and often by force. But the king of Bhutan was handing power to his people, who didn't seem to want it. The king's explanation for establishing a democracy was that it was the best way to protect them from someday, inevitably, getting a bad king. But most of the Bhutanese I talked to said the unity fostered by the monarchy was responsible for their survival as a little nation wedged in the mountains between two giants: China to the north and India to the south. To people in this tiny, intensely Buddhist kingdom of fewer than 700,000 people, democracy means disagreement, and disagreement threatens their culture and everything they hold dear. In covering stories around the world and close to home, I'd never been to a place where I couldn't find a single person who would say anything even slightly negative about his or her leader. And this was not fear of retribution for speaking out against the crown. I realized that the Bhutanese already had -- and were being told to relinquish -- the unity my generation so desperately seeks. Maybe a God-like monarch wouldn't be so bad -- unless we got the wrong one. Like many Americans of my generation, I crave national unity and a leader to follow after what seems like a lifetime of political pola... more -
"Bhutan: Lost in Democracy" Preview
In February I visited the kingdom of Bhutan. Hidden in the Himalayas between India and Tibet, the country has long been shrouded in mystery. Sometimes called “the last Shangri-La,” it’s a lushly forested land where people wear traditional robes, where policy is guided by “Gross National Happiness,” and where Tantric Buddhist saints are celebrated with paintings of gigantic penises.
But Bhutan is suddenly changing. It's transforming itself from an absolute monarchy to a parliamentary democracy — a move that leaves many of its people puzzled and uneasy. Tune in to Current on April 2 at 10 PM to find out how the people of Bhutan are dealing with democracy, westernization, and other challenges to their unique way of life. In February I visited the kingdom of Bhutan. Hidden in the Himalayas between India and Tibet, the country has long been shrouded in my... more -
Deserters
It was a place of refuge for U.S. soldiers during the Vietnam War. Now, a small but growing number of G.I.s are deserting the military and fleeing to Canada. It was a place of refuge for U.S. soldiers during the Vietnam War. Now, a small but growing number of G.I.s are deserting the military... more
-
Going AWOL
Joshua Key deserted the US military and fled to Canada with his family where he is speaking out against the US invasion of Iraq.
-
Kenya
Christof Putzel explores the lives of Kenyan children forced to live on the street after their parents die of AIDS.
-
The Meth Trail
Methamphetamine is a bad drug. Most people know this. The Current Vanguard team looks at how the forces of globalization-technology, international networks, and transportation have transformed this once obscure pharmaceutical into a global epidemic. Methamphetamine is a bad drug. Most people know this. The Current Vanguard team looks at how the forces of globalization-technology, i... more
-
I Like Be Sued, NOT!
Since Borat premiered over a year ago, our favorite Kazak journalist has been sued multiple times by people duped into appearing in his movie. Since Borat premiered over a year ago, our favorite Kazak journalist has been sued multiple times by people duped into appearing in hi... more
-
Sick of That Song Yet?
Ever wonder why you always hear the same songs on the radio? Christof Putzel explains why that may soon change.
-
Elliott's War
It has been five years since the start of the Iraq War. But for former Marine Michael Elliott, the psychological impact of war is his latest and most challenging battle. It has been five years since the start of the Iraq War. But for former Marine Michael Elliott, the psychological impact of war is his... more
-
From Russia With Hate
Current's Christof Putzel investigates a growing movement in Russia where neo-Nazi groups are brutally attacking immigrants and spreading their hate by posting violent videos online. Current's Christof Putzel investigates a growing movement in Russia where neo-Nazi groups are brutally attacking immigrants and spread... more
-
Snorting Adderall?
In Development: Generation RxI'm currently working on a pod about Adderall use on college campuses. Over the last 10 years, Adderall has become the most commonly abused prescription drug among college students. It's usually obtained to use as a study aid. I want to tell this story from the users' point of view, those who occasionally pop pills to cram for finals, lose weight, as well as from those who snort it to party or pimp out their own prescriptions.Assignment:I'm looking for people willing to talk about their Adderall use on camera. You can remain anonymous. (We don?t want to get anyone in trouble here). I'm also looking for "dealers," students who sometimes sell their own prescriptions to supply pills to others. If you're interested in this story and think you can help, please send an email to me at Christof@current.tv. Everything will be kept strictly confidential! This is an important story and you can help tell it! In Development: Generation RxI'm currently working on a pod about Adderall use on college campuses. Over the last 10 years, Adderall h... more
-
White Phosphorus
A look at a documentary examining the U.S. military's use of alleged chemical weapons in Fallujah.
-
Flying Coffins
Christof Putzel takes an unsettling trip on one of the rickety old Russian planes that fly in and out of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Christof Putzel takes an unsettling trip on one of the rickety old Russian planes that fly in and out of the Democratic Republic of Co... more
-
The Kibera Slum
Christof Putzel explores the Kibera Slums in Kenya, penetrating a code of silence in one of the world's hardest hit communities by the AIDS pandemic. Christof Putzel explores the Kibera Slums in Kenya, penetrating a code of silence in one of the world's hardest hit communities by the... more
-
Mogadishu Madness
After 15 years of anarchy, Current's Kaj Larsen and Christof Putzel venture into Mogadishu, Somalia to explore how the city is adjusting to the new self-proclaimed government, the Islamic Court Union. After 15 years of anarchy, Current's Kaj Larsen and Christof Putzel venture into Mogadishu, Somalia to explore how the city is adjusti... more
-
Gridlock at the Kremlin
While shooting on assignment in Russia, the Vanguard crew discovers Moscow has some of the worst traffic in the world.
-
Unrest in Russia
Christof Putzel talks about the recent protests in Russia.
-
related topics
Christof Putzel
Contributors (431)
Christof Putzel
