Democracy Lab Weekly Brief, November 18, 2013

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Christian Caryl asks whether Pope Francis is steering the Catholic Church toward democracy.

Scott Radnitz and Sean Roberts argue that Beijing’s strategy for pacifying ethnic minorities by making them prosperous isn’t working.

Anna Nemtsova tells the sad tale of a Russian town that earns its keep from a carcinogenic mineral.

Mohamed Eljarh reports on the massacre of peaceful protestors in the streets of Tripoli.

Juan Nagel analyzes the "war on business" launched by Venezuela’s president.

And now for this week’s recommended reads:

The International Foundation for Electoral Systems examines models for regulating political finance. IFES also tackles a list of FAQs about the upcoming elections in Honduras.

Reuters offers an in-depth analysis of the work of Indonesia’s anti-corruption commission. (The photo above shows Mount Sinabung, one of two Indonesian volcanoes that began erupting this weekend, forcing thousands to evacuate.)

Writing for Commentary, Michael Rubin explains why Turkish democracy is dead — and why Turkish leaders are finally willing to admit it.

Jenai Cox of Freedom House offers a concise study of Robert Mugabe’s election-rigging techniques.

The Economist questions the usefulness of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

In a new report for the Atlantic Council, J. Peter Pham argues that Morocco has a vital role in stabilizing the Middle East and North Africa region.

Jason Brownlee of the Carnegie Endowment reports on official discrimination and toleration of violence against members of the Egyptian Coptic Church.

Jadaliyya summarizes a recent roundtable discussion on the failures of Islamism following the Arab Spring.