Publication

This report argues that democratic governments, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations respond poorly when democracies are threatened by coups or erosions of the democratic process. The authors offer a series of ideas for more effective action to deter or respond to unconstitutional interruptions of the democratic process and the erosion of democracy and democratic institutions. They call on democratic states to implement a number of recommendations: increase development assistance to new democracies; develop "democracy erosion" indicators for international financial and trade institutions to target their assistance; and encourage new democracies to adopt strong domestic laws guaranteeing free elections, human rights, and the independence of the judiciary.