Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
President Bush has suggested that other nations follow the example of Libya, which ended links with terrorist groups and surrendered weapons of mass destruction and delivery systems. But there is a second lesson: The United States will forgo its declared interest in democratization if a country takes positive security-related steps and has enough petroleum to offer.
Failing and failed states are a threat to their citizens and to the international community, creating a need for international intervention. In addressing failing states, the international community should concentrate first and foremost on restoring state security.
Demand for practical knowledge and lessons about how the United States and other countries can more effectively promote democracy around the world has never been higher. This timely book by Thomas Carothers, one of the foremost authorities worldwide on democracy-building, helps meet that need.