US Support for Democracy in Authoritarian Regimes

• Main Author: Anderson, Patrick S
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Subjects: AFRICA; ARABS; BALANCE; CONSISTENCY; DEMOCRACY; DEMONSTRATIONS; EGYPT; FOREIGN POLICY; GLOBAL; Government and Political Science; HISTORY; INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS; INTERVENTION; LEADERSHIP; LIBYA; SECURITY; STRUCTURAL PROPERTIES; UNITED STATES; ZIMBABWE

In the recent events of the Arab Spring the United States carefully chose when and where it would take an overt and proactive role in support for the pro democracy movements. However, the current National Security Strategy states clearly that the United States will be proactive and show global leadership in support of democratic movements as a matter of policy and principle. While the particular sensitivities of the Arab world may call for a subtle approach, the world watches the United States carefully during such events. The charge of US foreign policy being driven by narrow self-interests such as oil and its own security concerns is a familiar charge by its critics. In cases where the US has intervened for humanitarian reasons the result has often been a demonstration of weak resolve to see the intervention through. While motives are by nature enigmatic, the historical consistency of the US promotion of democracy is unequivocal. In the next few years the United States will be challenged to balance its interests for stability and democracy in the new governments of North Africa. To negotiate these challenges the US government must view success in long term structural democratic development.