The Transition to Democracy Proceedings of a Workshop (1991) / Chapter Skim
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Regional Perspectives: Reports of the Working Groups
Regional Perspectives: Reports of the Working Groups
Pages 63-73
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From page 63... ...
This is especially true for American work with other donors and aid consortia in the countries concerned. The group found the six choices posed by Charles Tilly a good basis for its discussion.
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From page 64... ...
In most cases the United States should be moving incrementally, but where it has leverage, for example through a big economic aid investment, it would now have a greater opportunity to position that aid money to obtain the maximum liberalization. In the choice between external versus internal intervention, there was definite agreement among the group that, as much as possible, the United States should be looking to the groups and places in a society where local initiatives have already been demonstrated.
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From page 65... ...
On one end is cynicism: political parties are not really possible; they are just facades. At the other end are the apologists: people saying that there are genuine openings, such as the improving opportunities for women in some countries and the existence of intermediary institutions that could be the base for civil society.
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From page 66... ...
One participant commented that in discussions with Middle Easterners, he found them fearful that the United States would not accept their different version of what constitutes democratization. One of the discouraging conclusions reached by most participants was that unless the political equation of the whole region -- that is, the ArabIsraeli conflict -- can be resolved, the United States is probably not going to have much opportunity to promote democracy.
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From page 67... ...
Nelson began by suggesting that it is a region of high threats and low capacities for most states. Among the domestic threats are fragile or nonexistent institutions, rising nationalism and ethnonationalism, the continued presence of the old nomenklatura and the secret police, the unresolved issue of civil-military relations, privatization and market reforms versus the social welfare expectations of the population, and finally what he called Anti politics politics, or a purposeful apathy in some of these populations.
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From page 68... ...
The group nonetheless considered some specific programs, such as mediation centers, training legislators and administrators, work relief, housing, and English language training that seem to be tangible and realistic program options. Africa Michael Clough, Chair Clough offered the observation that one of the problems of dealing with Africa is its immense diversity.
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From page 69... ...
Another view argues that in Africa the center Is the problem, so that the policy focus should be on supporting intermediary groups, almost regardless of the consequences for the center's ability to hold. On concrete policy issues, the group agreed that a variety of policies, responding to the realities of various countries, is essential.
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From page 70... ...
Wynia commented that in the recent presidential elections in Peru, Brazil, and to some extent in Argentina, people voted against political parties and for individuals. Even if the United States believes parties are important, it may not be realistic to think of counseling Brazil that it needs better-organized political parties.
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From page 71... ...
military should attempt whatever it can to teach Latin militaries about the democratic process. The group concluded, however, that reducing the need and opportunities for a military force would be more effective if these efforts were initiated and carried out by internal forces within that particular nation.
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From page 72... ...
Finally, Wynia commented on the stress on private enterprise and free markets and the problem that is beginning to develop in the minds, if not in the actual policies, of some Latin American governments. As they privatize, removing enterprises from government control and turning them over to the private sector, the question arises of whether the governments can continue to regulate those new enterprises as necessary.
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From page 73... ...
The third and broadest idea to emerge from the discussion centered around attempts to understand more precisely the nature of A.I.D.'s commitment to democracy. The discussion resulted in productive disagreement as workshop participants identified potential dilemmas in promoting democracy and offered suggestions for A.I.D.'s proper role.
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