Democracy Promotion

HON351, American Values in Global Perspective

Spring Semester 2008

Study Guide

American's Role in Promoting Democracy

Readings:

Thomas Carothers, "The Backlash Against Democracy Promotion," Foreign Affairs, Vol. 85, No. 2, March /April 2006, pp. 55-68 (electronic reserves)

Michael Mandelbaum, "Democracy without America," Foreign Affairs, Vol. 86, No. 5, September/October 2007, pp. 119-130 (electronic reserves)

Other articles (optional):

Yuri Ushakov (Russian Ambassador to the US), "From Russia, with Liking," Christian Science Monitor, February 7, 2007

Websites (optional):

Questions to consider while reading the Carothers article:

1. In what ways have foreign governments resisted American efforts to promote democracy in their regions?

2. What types of groups are engaged in the promotion of democracy? What are their goals? What strategies have they been using?

3. What accounts for what the authors see as a backlash against efforts to promote democracy in a growing number of countries?

4. In the authors' view, why have the Bush Administration's efforts to promote democracy met with strong resistence in some countries?

5. What suggestions does Carothers have for reducing the backlash against democracy?

Questions to consider while reading the Mandelbaum Article

1. What are the two basic components of a democratic regime?

2. Why is liberty more difficult to achieve that popular sovereignty?

3. Why does the author believe that a free market economy is a prerequisite for democracy?

4. Why are the prospects for demcoracy so poor in the Arab countries? Why are they brighter in Russia?

5. What factors favor the evolution of democracy in China?

6. What role does the author see for the United States in promoting democracy in other countries?

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