Democracy promotion

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Under democracy promotion (ger .: democracy promotion or democracy building ) refers to approaches in development cooperation , initiated by the processes of democratization, strengthened or should be stabilized (see democratization ). The term is often used in connection with the transformation of the socialist states of the former Eastern Bloc in the early 1990s and in connection with the development of democracies in the Third World .

Promotion of democracy in the broader sense

Democracy Index 2019 (Source: The Economist )
Complete democracies:
  • 9-10
  • 8.01-8.99
    		•  Incomplete democracies:
  • 7-8
  • 6-6.99
    		•  Hybrid regime (mixed forms):
  • 5-5.99
  • 4-4.99
    		•  Authoritarian regimes:
  • 3-3.99
  • 2-2.99
  • 0-1.99
    		•
  • No data
    		•

    The promotion of democracy in the broader sense tries to create and improve the conditions that make democratization processes possible. There are different approaches to this.

    • Based on the modernization theory , it is assumed that socio-economic development will shift the balance of power in a society - which then leads to a change in values.
    • The approach of promoting human rights, minority rights and emancipation movements, on the other hand, aims to strengthen the individual and thus limit domination.
    • The process of conflict management is similar . Here, however, it is also a matter of first creating a stable, peaceful framework that then offers the prerequisites for democratization.

    Promotion of democracy in the narrower sense

    The promotion of democracy in the narrower sense includes political interventions through which pro-democratic forces and democratic institutions are strengthened. A distinction can be made here between indirect and direct approaches.

    • Indirect approaches include supporting good governance and promoting pro-democratic forces in parties, trade unions, the media and civil society.
    • A direct form of democracy promotion, on the other hand, is to intervene in a targeted manner to replace an authoritarian regime with a democratic one. This is called “regime change”.

    Promotion of democracy in Germany

    The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) explains:

    “In order to promote democratization processes and the establishment of the rule of law, Germany has agreed development cooperation with numerous partner countries with the focus on 'democracy, civil society, public administration (governance)'. The BMZ is particularly committed to the protection of human rights, political participation for all classes of the population and freedom of the media. "

    Government- related institutions such as the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) and party-affiliated foundations are also pursuing similar approaches . The Heinrich Böll Foundation , which is close to the green, has set itself a special focus on promoting democracy, which in its understanding also includes gender democracy and the promotion of the recognition of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities .

    Federal Family Minister Franziska Giffey called for a law to promote democracy after the riots in Chemnitz in 2018 in view of the xenophobic demonstrations. Such a law must "make it unmistakably clear that it is also the task of the state to organize the democratic education of young people at all levels". There is a lot of catching up to do, especially in political education for young people.

    Promotion of democracy through the EU

    For the European Union , promoting democracy is a matter of great importance. This is based on Articles 2 and 21 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) and Article 205 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

    In detail, the EU declares:

    “Promoting democracy around the world is a priority for the European Union. In response to recent political changes, the EU has developed new strategies for democratization. The European Neighborhood Policy has been adapted and is now based on the principle of “more for more” and the promotion of “deep democracy”. As the only directly elected body of the EU, the European Parliament is particularly committed to promoting democracy. "

    Goals and tools

    The goals of promoting democracy focus on three subject areas:

    In order for elections to be free and fair, the promotion of democracy relies on election advice, organizational support and election observation . Another instrument is to promote the work of democratic parties through advice and organizational support.

    The promotion of democracy can also consist of supporting democratic constitutional processes by providing legal advice and by providing institutional, personal or financial support to the development of an independent judiciary.

    The building of a civil society is promoted through the promotion of NGOs , the political education of the population, the promotion of free media and free trade unions.

    literature

    See also

    Web links

    Individual evidence

    1. ↑ CPI 2019
    2. ↑ BMZ - Glossary
    3. ^ GIZ: Promotion of Democracy. For a constructive dialogue between state and citizens
    4. ^ Heinrich Böll Foundation: Democracy There it says u. a .: “The strengthening of civil society and democratically legitimized parliaments are our concern. We want to strengthen the political and social rights of women and stand up against the discrimination and criminalization of people whose sexual orientation or gender identity does not correspond to the majority norms, in short: LGBTI. "
    5. ^ Franziska Giffey wants a law to promote democracy. In: time online. September 5, 2018, accessed September 21, 2018 .
    6. ^ European Parliament: Promotion of Democracy and Election Observation
    7. ^ Matthias Freise: External democracy promotion in post-socialist transition states, p. 39