Will every country become a democracy? As Iranian anti-government protests enter their third week, some are predicting the downfall of their regime — and perhaps of all others.
Iranians dare to dream for freedom
Hope: An Iranian protester (pictured above in France). Although we know that huge numbers of Iranians are protesting, there are very few pictures due to the internet blackout in the country. Glossary
Yearning - An intense feeling of longing for, or wanting, something.
Inflation - An increase in the price of goods in an economy.
Islamic - Relating to Islam, a major world religion based on the Quran and the teachings of Muhammad.
Liberal - Liberalism is a school of political thought that stresses individual liberty. Liberals believe that society should not try to impose values or behaviours on individuals but should be tolerant of different lifestyles. A leading exponent of liberal thought was the 19th-century English philosopher John Stuart Mill, the author of the classic work On Liberty.
Democracy - A system of government based on the idea of rule by the people.
Francis Fukuyama - An American political scientist best known for his argument that the whole world will one day embrace liberal democracy.
Autocratic - Relating to a ruler with total power.