Democracy and Development
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Thematic Section
Democracy and Development
COR VAN BEUNINGEN
ABSTRACT Democracy is now generally recognized as the form of government that is best able to facilitate decision making and resolve internal conflicts in a peaceful way, as well as to provide the conditions for social and economic development and the reduction of poverty. Similarly, the human rights of citizens can best be realized through the development of democratic institutions, procedures, and values. Cor van Beuningen argues that the advancement of democracy can thus be considered as not only an essential goal in its own right, but also linked to peace building, the consolidation of human rights and to growth and development. KEYWORDS international cooperation; governance; identity; culture; democracy promotion; European Union
International cooperation and the promotion of democracy1 The promotion of democracy within the broader framework of international cooperation has become a heavily disputed subject both in academic and policy-making circles. Many complicated issues have been raised and not a few of them seem to point to devilish policy dilemmas that cause uneasiness among politicians and policy makers in the field of international relations. Some of the questions involved already have a history, like those related to what comes first, democracy or development? Is democracy a precondition for economic growth and social development or will democracy only be viable and sustainable when a certain level of development has been attained? Is economic development sustainable without political development and vice versa? Then there is the dilemma of democracy versus stability. Do they go together or do stability, law and order, rule of law, and security really come first? Should societies be made fit for democracy or do they become fit through democracy? Is there a case for the need of a dictatorial-development state in certain stages of economic growth ^ because necessary but unpopular changes will not be produced via elected governments (cf. Korea or Malaysia)? And is democracy sustainable in societies characterized by huge social inequalities or income disparities? There is the fundamental question, whether democracy promotion from outside is possible; is it legitimate, and can it work? How to avoid its counterproductive effects, which are heavily looming, to the extent that the cure (aid for democracy) might become the poison? On an even more practical note, there is the structure^culture debate. There Development (2007) 50(1), 50–55. doi:10.1057/palgrave.development.1100336
Van Beuningen: Democracy and Development is a broad recognition of the fact that outside assistance on hardware and institutional make-up will not produce sustainable outcomes without effective change in the political culture; but can culture really be changed through outside intervention? If democracy promotion is to be seen as essential, how should it then relate to existing development cooperation practice? Is it just another sector, next to education or drinking water;
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