Today's Article
News flash: Forcing
others to accept our
worldview and
lifestyle isn't working.
others to accept our
worldview and
lifestyle isn't working.
The American Spark
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Bush's 'March of Democracy' Creates Backlash
By Cliff Montgomery - Feb. 27th, 2007
A December 2006 Senate committee report concerned the current attempt to create a "march of democracy"
throughout the world, and admitted a startling fact: not every country is ready to be completely re-made in
America's image.
Regardless of the purity of intention, 'spreading democracy' all too often means attempting to force our
personal vision of society and democracy on others who might simply think and feel differently from us. The
result is predictable to all but policy wonks: the last few years (especially post-Iraq War) have seen a backlash
on the Bush Administration's attempt to remake the world.
It's something to keep in mind as you read the quotes from the report below:
"The Senate Foreign Relations Committee recently sent Carl Meacham, Keith Luse, Jay Branegan, Paul Foldi,
and Michael Phelan of the professional staff to selected countries in Africa, Asia, Central Europe, and Latin
America to examine the state of democracy, with particular emphasis on programs supported with United
States Government (USG) funding, either directly through the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), or
other nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).
"Increasingly, governments around the world have tightened their controls on foreign NGOs by passing laws to
restrict their ability to work independently from government approval. In extreme cases, democracy promoters are
being harassed by authorities. In some nations governments have been able to persuade their citizens that the
work of NGOs and the financial assistance provided to them by the USG, is a form of American interventionism.
Thus, in some countries opposition to pro-democracy NGOs is cast as a reaffirmation of sovereignty.
"Support for democratic, grassroots organizations has become a centerpiece of America's international
outreach. The American people see this most clearly in USG efforts to lay the foundation for democracy in Iraq
and Afghanistan.
"A June 8, 2006, report...commissioned by Chairman Lugar, notes:
'Representatives of democracy assistance NGOs have been harassed, offices closed, and staff expelled. Even
more vulnerable are local grantees and project partners who have been threatened, assaulted, prosecuted,
imprisoned, and even killed.'
"The implications of the report were examined in a June 8, 2006, hearing chaired by Senator Lugar to examine
the role of NGOs in the promotion of democracy.
Guiding Principles
"Democracy backsliding anywhere is a threat to democracy promotion everywhere: Failure to check democracy
backsliding in any given country harms democracy promotion efforts worldwide.
"In repressive and backsliding systems, the importance of democracy programs is magnified. They serve as a
needed counterweight to forces of repression, corruption, and disenfranchisement.
"Democracy promotion is a long-term process: Because democratic transitions are rooted in people and
movements, sustainable democracy programs cannot be delivered in a top-down, one-off, short-term manner. To
achieve sustainable change, democracy promotion must be a long-range exercise.
"Rule of law programs are a prime example; it takes years for legal precedents to take root and legal systems to
change in a sustainable way.
"Democracy promotion must be seen in a regional, cross-border context: Because no country or political
development or movement takes place in isolation, democracy promotion must be pursued in a cross-border,
regional, and even cross-regional context.
"Economic factors affect democracy promotion: Globalization and its economic effects impact significantly the
ability of civil society and government institutions to respond to the needs of citizens. The impact of
macroeconomic policy and global trade, particularly where they lead to increased inequality, can impede the
success of democracy promotion and impair society's ability to address corruption, rule of law, and accountability.
"The economic marginalization or exclusion of vast segments of populations provides political space for
authoritarian and non-democratic forces to capture the public dialogue and weaken democratic development.
"Democracy promotion is as much about what happens before and after elections, as the elections themselves:
Without the creation of at least the beginnings of independent civil society prior to an election, the elections
themselves may bring about no real or lasting change. If a vibrant civil society is to help establish the foundation
for any future political change, it needs to be fostered and promoted after and between election cycles.
"Civic education, informed citizen participation, transparency, and accountability are key determinants as to
whether an elected government will actually survive and govern justly in response to its constituents.
"Democracy promotion is about aiming for high standards, but having realistic expectations: The combination of
corruption, disregard for human rights, suppression of media freedoms, and regulation of independent civil
society, along with a weak or nonexistent rule of law, unenforceable labor standards, and the absence of
corporate accountability can all hamper democracy promotion efforts and create an unstable environment in
which to implement projects.
"These factors must be considered when setting expectations and benchmarks for success."
By Cliff Montgomery - Feb. 27th, 2007
A December 2006 Senate committee report concerned the current attempt to create a "march of democracy"
throughout the world, and admitted a startling fact: not every country is ready to be completely re-made in
America's image.
Regardless of the purity of intention, 'spreading democracy' all too often means attempting to force our
personal vision of society and democracy on others who might simply think and feel differently from us. The
result is predictable to all but policy wonks: the last few years (especially post-Iraq War) have seen a backlash
on the Bush Administration's attempt to remake the world.
It's something to keep in mind as you read the quotes from the report below:
"The Senate Foreign Relations Committee recently sent Carl Meacham, Keith Luse, Jay Branegan, Paul Foldi,
and Michael Phelan of the professional staff to selected countries in Africa, Asia, Central Europe, and Latin
America to examine the state of democracy, with particular emphasis on programs supported with United
States Government (USG) funding, either directly through the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), or
other nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).
"Increasingly, governments around the world have tightened their controls on foreign NGOs by passing laws to
restrict their ability to work independently from government approval. In extreme cases, democracy promoters are
being harassed by authorities. In some nations governments have been able to persuade their citizens that the
work of NGOs and the financial assistance provided to them by the USG, is a form of American interventionism.
Thus, in some countries opposition to pro-democracy NGOs is cast as a reaffirmation of sovereignty.
"Support for democratic, grassroots organizations has become a centerpiece of America's international
outreach. The American people see this most clearly in USG efforts to lay the foundation for democracy in Iraq
and Afghanistan.
"A June 8, 2006, report...commissioned by Chairman Lugar, notes:
'Representatives of democracy assistance NGOs have been harassed, offices closed, and staff expelled. Even
more vulnerable are local grantees and project partners who have been threatened, assaulted, prosecuted,
imprisoned, and even killed.'
"The implications of the report were examined in a June 8, 2006, hearing chaired by Senator Lugar to examine
the role of NGOs in the promotion of democracy.
Guiding Principles
"Democracy backsliding anywhere is a threat to democracy promotion everywhere: Failure to check democracy
backsliding in any given country harms democracy promotion efforts worldwide.
"In repressive and backsliding systems, the importance of democracy programs is magnified. They serve as a
needed counterweight to forces of repression, corruption, and disenfranchisement.
"Democracy promotion is a long-term process: Because democratic transitions are rooted in people and
movements, sustainable democracy programs cannot be delivered in a top-down, one-off, short-term manner. To
achieve sustainable change, democracy promotion must be a long-range exercise.
"Rule of law programs are a prime example; it takes years for legal precedents to take root and legal systems to
change in a sustainable way.
"Democracy promotion must be seen in a regional, cross-border context: Because no country or political
development or movement takes place in isolation, democracy promotion must be pursued in a cross-border,
regional, and even cross-regional context.
"Economic factors affect democracy promotion: Globalization and its economic effects impact significantly the
ability of civil society and government institutions to respond to the needs of citizens. The impact of
macroeconomic policy and global trade, particularly where they lead to increased inequality, can impede the
success of democracy promotion and impair society's ability to address corruption, rule of law, and accountability.
"The economic marginalization or exclusion of vast segments of populations provides political space for
authoritarian and non-democratic forces to capture the public dialogue and weaken democratic development.
"Democracy promotion is as much about what happens before and after elections, as the elections themselves:
Without the creation of at least the beginnings of independent civil society prior to an election, the elections
themselves may bring about no real or lasting change. If a vibrant civil society is to help establish the foundation
for any future political change, it needs to be fostered and promoted after and between election cycles.
"Civic education, informed citizen participation, transparency, and accountability are key determinants as to
whether an elected government will actually survive and govern justly in response to its constituents.
"Democracy promotion is about aiming for high standards, but having realistic expectations: The combination of
corruption, disregard for human rights, suppression of media freedoms, and regulation of independent civil
society, along with a weak or nonexistent rule of law, unenforceable labor standards, and the absence of
corporate accountability can all hamper democracy promotion efforts and create an unstable environment in
which to implement projects.
"These factors must be considered when setting expectations and benchmarks for success."