| ID | 097806 |
| Title Proper | International actors and democratisation |
| Other Title Information | can USAID deliver a democratic culture to Afghanistan |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Hill, Matthew Alan |
| Publication | 2010. |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | Externally driven state-building is a complicated task that rarely fulfils the declared objectives of the international actors or the local state and society. This paper critiques the international dimension to state-building by examining USAID in Afghanistan and identifying the theoretical and practical explanations for its failure to aid democratic consolidation. Arguing that the Bush administration's democratisation efforts have had a negative impact on consolidating democracy, this paper identifies the democratic product of Afghanistan as characterised, at most, by having the formal institutions, routines and procedures of a democracy. I suggest that this merely 'formal' democratic product is too short-term and fails to take fully into account the need to develop a political and social culture capable of supporting democratic institutions. In terms of the future of democracy promotion in US foreign policy, I suggest that a change of emphasis may be occurring in the Obama administration. |
| `In' analytical Note | International Relations Vol. 24, No. 2; Jun 2010: p155-174 |
| Journal Source | International Relations Vol. 24, No. 2; Jun 2010: p155-174 |
| Key Words | International Actors ; Democratisation ; Afghanistan ; Civil Society ; Democracy Promotion ; Democratic Culture ; International Actor ; Cultural Norms ; Local Actors ; USAID |