Democracy building

Under democracy promotion ( engl: Democracy Democracy promotion or building ) refers to approaches to development cooperation, aimed at initiating, strengthening or consolidation of democratization processes (see also democratization ). The term is particularly used in connection with the transformation of the socialist countries of the former Soviet bloc democracies in the early 1990s and in connection with the development of democracies in the Third World.

Democracy promotion in the broader sense

Democracy promotion in the broader sense is trying to improve the conditions for Demokratiesierungsprozesse. From modernization theory, mind the socio -economic approaches derive aimed at acceleration of social forces and displacements on the change in social values ​​. The strengthening of human rights, minority rights and the promotion of emancipation movements aimed against it at strengthening the individual and the limitation of sovereignty. This orientation also share approaches to conflict resolution, but also want to create a stable environment for democratization processes.

Promoting democracy in the strict sense

Promoting democracy in the narrow sense includes policy interventions to strengthen pro-democracy forces and the introduction or improvement of the performance of democratic institutions. Indirect approaches are aimed at good governance ( good governance ) or strengthen pro-democracy actors in political parties, trade unions, media and civil society. Direct approaches aim at replacing an authoritarian regime with a democratic regime (regime change).

Objectives and instruments

The objectives of democracy promotion focus on three areas:

• Democratic Institutions and
• Civil society

To achieve and ensure free elections to promote democracy are used as instruments choice counseling and organizational support in elections and election observation in the frame. Another tool is to promote the work of free parties through consultation and organizational support of parties.

In the area of ​​building democratic institutions is to support the creation of liberal constitutions by legal advice, support for the development of an independent judiciary and the advice of the legislative and executive authorities, as well as the part of the promotion of democracy. The involvement of the military in the process of democratization is often necessary.

The development of a civil society is promoted by encouraging NGOs, the political education of the population, the promotion of free media and free trade unions.