“Engaging closed societies is the best way to foster democratic change,” argues Larry Diamond, co -director of the International Forum for Democratic Studies. Writing in Newsweek, he suggests that the incoming U.S. administration must fashion a “more subtle and sophisticated approach” to promoting democracy in the likes of Cuba, Burma, Iran and Syria.
“The United States does not have the power, resources or moral standing to quickly transform the world’s entrenched dictatorships”, and policies of isolation and confrontation have palpably failed. Against a backdrop of a global democratic recession, the most effective strategy for undermining dictatorships is “to open up such places to the freer flow of people, goods, ideas and information.”
While the immediate priority is helping fragile democracies adjust to the current economic crisis, the U.S. should continue to support pro-democracy diaspora groups, and expand international radio broadcasting that transmits independent news and promotes democratic ideas.
The new administration should coordinate with its democratic allies on three priorities:
- increase technical assistance and training programs for strengthening democratic institutions – enhancing transparency, rule of law, anti-corruption initiatives, fair elections and strengthening democratic oversight;
- create material incentives for political leaders to opt for good governance, “delivering development and reducing poverty rather than skimming public resources and buying support or rigging elections”, including clear and rigorous criteria for economic and political aid;
- expand democracy assistance to independent organizations, mass media and think tanks to generate public demand for better governance, by supporting democratic professional associations, labor unions, independent business associations, student groups, women’s movements and groups committed to human rights, transparency, civic education, election monitoring and other democratic activities.
“A more consistent, realistic and multilateral approach will help to secure at-risk democracies and plant the seeds of freedom in oppressed countries,” Diamond concludes.
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