Skip to main content Skip to search Skip to search

Political Science Democracy

A Diplomat's Handbook for Democracy Development Support

edited by Jeremy Kinsman & Kurt Bassuener

Publisher
McGill-Queen's University Press
Initial publish date
Oct 2016
Category
Democracy, Diplomacy
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9780986707780
    Publish Date
    Oct 2016
    List Price
    $25.00

Classroom Resources

Where to buy it

Description

In recent decades, the conduct of international relations among and within states has been very considerably altered. Today, the content of these relations relies as much on international professional and civil society networks as it does on state-to-state transactions. The role of the Internet has been fundamental in widening communications opportunities for citizens and civil society, with a profound effect on democracy transition. In consequence, diplomacy has taken on a much more human and public face. Twenty-first century ambassadors and diplomats are learning to engage with civil societies, especially on the large themes of democratic change — an engagement that is often resisted by authoritarian regimes. A Diplomat’s Handbook for Democracy Development Support presents a wide variety of specific experiences of diplomats on the ground, identifying creative, human and material resources. More broadly, it is about the policy-making experience in capitals, as democratic states try to align national interests and democratic values. The Handbook also documents the increasingly prominent role of civil society as the essential building block for successful democratic transitions, with each case study examining specific national experiences in the aspiration for democratic and pluralistic governance, and lessons learned on all sides — for better or for worse. While each situation is different — presenting unique, unstructured problems and opportunities — a review of these experiences bears out the validity of the authors’ belief in the interdependence of democratic engagements, and provides practitioners with encouragement, counsel and a greater capacity to support democracy everywhere.

About the authors

Contributor Notes

Jeremy Kinsman is Resident International Scholar at the Institute of Governmental Studies at the University of California, Berkeley, and is concurrently Distinguished Diplomatic Visitor at Ryerson University in Toronto. Kurt Bassuener is an independent p