Publication

This paper examines EU democracy promotion policy in a changing international political environment. The authors identify three pillars of European democracy promotion: the offering of incentives for democratic reform; the use of punitive measures and diplomatic pressure; and the funding of democracy programs. After assessing policies in the three fields, the author concludes that most European governments do not have a strategy for democracy promotion that is consistent, effective and based on a clear vision of the relationship between democratization and other political objectives. The EU needs to reassess its democracy promotion policies to be effective in a new international context.