Global Voices: Daily Digest—July 21-22, 2011

Portugal: "Junk" National Debt Rating Provokes Online Demonstrations
The "junk" rating given to Portugal's ability to pay its public debts by independent American financial analysis corporation Moody's, has provoked numerous demonstrations of exacerbated nationalism on the social networks. It has also brought to the blogosphere further analysis on the economic crisis and the country's bailout. read>>

China: Bring Your Books to Rural Villages
A prominent Chinese scholar is encouraging netizens to "bring their books to the villages". Now a number of centres have been set up in cities across the country to handle the book donations and collect funds to go towards building libraries in rural areas. read>>

South Korea: Women-Only Subway Car Meets Strong Opposition
As the subway sexual harassment is on the rise, especially during rush hours and late nights, Seoul city government has decided to launch women-only subway compartment to cut down the crime rate. However, the move has prompted fierce debate amongst South Korean netizens. read>>

Russia: Envisioning the "Cloud Democracy" Utopia
'Cloud Democracy' is the title of the new book written by Leonid Volkov and Fyodor Krasheninnikov, two political bloggers from the Urals region of Russia. The book displays the authors' vision on how a system of 'future' democratic governance can be built with the help of online tools. read>>

Armenia: Uproar Over Head of Church's Remarks
Just days after news reports alleged that Karekin II, current head of the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church and the nation's spiritual leader, said he had nothing to do with the monasteries and churches located in the mountainous regions of the country, angry Armenians have mobilized a social media campaign to oust the Catholicos [title used for head of church in some Eastern Christian traditions] with a Facebook event entitled 'Karekin II, Leave! Church is Not a Business.' read>>

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