Publication

This paper examines the nature of European Union democracy promotion policies since the mid-1990s. The analysis covers EU democracy assistance projects, debates over the imposition of political conditionality, the importance attached to "socialization" dynamics, the relationship between commercial policy and democracy promotion, and a comparison between European and US approaches to political change. The author argues that the EU has developed initiatives in the field of democracy promotion which compare favorably with those of the US. He concludes with a set of policy recommendations.