European Union and the Promotion of Democracy

This title assesses European Union policies aimed at encouraging democratization in East Asia and the North African and Middle Eastern states within the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership - these two regions being the source of some of the strongest conceptual challenges to "Western" liberal democracy since the end of the Cold War. The book addresses theoretical debates over the international dimensions of political change and the EU's characteristics as an international actor. The factors both driving and inhibiting European democracy promotion policies are explored. The book outlines the EU's distinctive bottom-up philosophy, aimed at constructing the socio-economic and ideational foundations for political liberalization, but argues that the EU has in practice failed to develop a fully comprehensive and coherent democracy promotion strategy.

It will be of most interest to those with a good grounding in EU external policy-making, for whom this will be a key reference; it is also of considerable value to those concerned with the impact of norms and interests on policy-making in the post-Cold War era., ... invaluable ... an exceptionally clear discussion of issues attaching to democratization, and of approaches to its study., Will interest scholars, students and researchers in comparative politics, international relations and European studies., This carefully researched, scholarly written and nicely produced book is a valuable addition to the growing series of Oxford Studies in Democratization and to the literature on the international dimensions of democratization more generally., The author's command of the subject matter, enriched by insights gained from his 'insider' access that flows from time spent working at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, combine to produce a detailed and sophisticated analysis.