Commentary
Thomas Carothers, McKenzie Carrier
Book
Aiding Democracy Abroad: The Learning Curve
This book examines democracy aid programs relating to elections, political parties, governmental reform, rule of law, civil society, independent media, labor unions, decentralization, and other elements of what Carothers describes as "the democracy template" that policy makers and aid officials apply around the world.
Published on Dec 31, 1999
Source: Washington
Aiding Democracy Abroad: The Learning Curve is the first independent, comprehensive assessment of this important new field. Drawing on extensive field research and years of hands-on experience, author Thomas Carothers examines democracy aid programs relating to elections, political parties, governmental reform, rule of law, civil society, independent media, labor unions, decentralization, and other elements of what he describes as "the democracy template" that policy makers and aid officials apply around the world.
Steering a careful path between the inflated claims of aid advocates and the exaggerated criticisms of their opponents, Carothers takes a hard look at what such programs achieve and how they can be improved.
Advance Praise
"A clear-eyed examination of attempts to reform legislatures, courts, and political parties, and new efforts to promote democracy from the bottom up."
—The New York Times
"[Aiding Democracy] is not just the best thing ever written on democracy promotion, moving the debate from homilies and assertions to evidence and argumentatioin, but also a model for anyone interested in applying intellectual rigor to practical policy issues."
—Gideon Rose, International Security
About the Author
Thomas Carothers
Harvey V. Fineberg Chair for Democracy Studies; Director, Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program
Thomas Carothers, director of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace’s Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program, is a leading expert on comparative democratization and international support for democracy.
- When Do Mass Protests Topple Autocrats?
- The Trump Administration’s Tangled Talk About Democracy AbroadArticle
Thomas Carothers, McKenzie Carrier
Recent Work
Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.
More Work from Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center
- Consolidating Power, Losing Ground: Moldova Risks Repeating Past Mistakes Ahead of Fall ElectionsCommentary
As Russia’s war in Ukraine reshapes domestic standards across the region, Moldova’s path of political consolidation makes it a frontier—rather than an outlier—in a broader European trend.
Balázs Jarábik
- Transnistria’s Energy Crisis Could Backfire on MoscowCommentary
The breakaway republic of Transnistria has been plunged into an energy crisis following the end of Ukrainian transit of Russian gas. If it is Kyiv and not Moscow that comes to the unrecognized statelet’s aid, Russia risks losing any remaining influence in the region.
Vladimir Solovyov
- Moldova’s Ambiguous Election Results Are UnsurprisingCommentary
A narrower-than-expected victory for pro-EU incumbent Maia Sandu chimes with Moldova’s electoral history and complex regional loyalties.
Vladimir Solovyov
- Who Is the Kremlin Backing in Moldova’s Presidential Election?Commentary
The issue of relations with Russia and the European Union is firmly back at the heart of electoral politics in Moldova.
Galiya Ibragimova
- Moldovan Elections to Spotlight Decline of Support for RussiaCommentary
Amid the war in Ukraine, almost every politician in Moldova wants to avoid being seen as strongly pro-Russian. But public support for Russia remains significant.
Vladimir Solovyov
