Democracy promotion in a Transatlantic perspective:reflections from an expert working group

Abstract:

This analysis reviews the debate in the US and Europe on democracy promotion and the current international context. It analyses the strengths and weaknesses of the US and the EU - two important global players that actively strive to promote democracy and human rights. Even though the two differ in many respects both as concerns the practice of assisting democracy building and in their rhetoric, they share a belief in democracy as the political model most conducive to freedom and economic and social wellbeing. By way of conclusion, the paper argues for a renewed cooperation between the EU and the US in the area of democracy promotion motivated by a new American administration and forthcoming changes in European institutions.