‘Struggling transitions’ at Europe’s borders

EurActiv feature discusses a report 'Democracy's plight in the European Neighbourhood: Struggling transitions and proliferating dynasties' edited by by Micahel Emerson and Richard Youngs, research director at the Spanish think tank 'Foundation for International Relations and external dialogue'(FRIDE). The report was published in October 2009 and was discussed in Brussels at a CEPs meeting in January 2010.

In recent years many analysts have focused their attention on an apparent ‘backlash’ against democracy and democracy promotion. FRIDE and CEPS have previously cooperated on exploring the general nature of this ‘backlash’. In this volume we turn to a more specific European neighbourhood focus, and explore the general issues relating to democracy’s travails in more detail in the countries to the south and east of the European Union. The underlying question is whether, in an era of democratic pessimism, the European neighbourhood can offer any more optimistic conclusions.

FRIDE: Democracy's plight in the European Neighbourhood, 2009 http://www.fride.org/publication/666/democracys-plight-in-the-european-neighbourhood

---