Search results

"Human Security" published on by Oxford University Press.

The capacity of various actors to promote democracy on an international level is evaluated, & the comparative advantages & shortcomings of the United Nations as a democracy-promoting force are studied. Although the US remains the predominant force for international democratization, it is demonstrated that regional organizations (eg, the Organization of American States), nongovernmental organizations, & international organizations (eg, the United Nations) also firmly promote democratic political systems. Whereas the United Nations international recognition as a legitimate regime & network of governance programs are definite comparative advantages, it is stressed that its democracy-promotion budget is smaller than some national governments, thus impeding its capacity to offer electoral assistance. Several relevant challenges facing the United Nations are then articulated, eg, ascertaining whether international support engenders sustainable democratic processes & whether assistance alters a states cultural, political, or social foundations. J. W. Parker

The United Nations involvement in the global promotion of democracy is investigated. Three principle reasons for the United Nations commitment to democratization are given: democratic governments tend to avoid international conflict with other democracies; human rights are more strongly protected in democratic political systems; & democracies are generally compelled to contribute to peoples socio-economic development. Three difficulties presently impeding the United Nations support of democratization projects are identified: addressing time constraints; promoting political transformation within resistant societies; & creating the necessary supports to implement democratic change in non-democratic countries. The issue concerning the United Nations ability to initiate democratization in large countries is also raised. J. W. Parker