International Law, Economic Development, and Democracy
In: The Whitehead journal of diplomacy and international relations, Band 6, Heft 2, S. 73-88
ISSN: 1538-6589
This article rejects the widely accepted orthodoxy of the international law of economic development: democracy creates instability that tends to hold back development. Instead, it suggests that promotion of democracy is the best way to achieve rapid economic development even for the poorest nations. The single greatest cause of underdevelopment in Third World countries is the failure to promote democracy. Years of forfeited progress in economic growth, environmental protection, & human rights have impoverished & shortened the lives of millions of people. The author briefly outlines the origins of the prevailing orthodoxy of economic development, analyzes the application of this orthodoxy, & presents perspectives on economic development grounded in human freedom & democracy. In conclusion he states that practitioners of international law should adopt the emerging norm of democratic economic development. E. Sanchez