Liberal Interventionism and Democracy Promotion

Rezensionen / Stimmen

This edited volume is different from the plethora of studies devoted to democratic transition in many ways. First, it sheds new light on the importance of adding international dimension to the analysis of democratization, a dimension that has been nonchalantly shoved to the margin by many scholars in the field. Second, the contributors take a systematic approach in examining all external influences and effectiveness of foreign policy tools on democratization. The bulk of the discussion centers on two main issues. The first issue is the efficacy of foreign policy tools (i.e., 'economic aid, economic sanctions, foreign military intervention, and soft power') in advancing democratization. The second issue is the pervasiveness of EU, the IMF, the UN, and transnational human rights groups in promoting and defending democratic processes and institutions. It is a must read for those interested in understanding the whole processes of democratization, especially in the developing world. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above. * CHOICE * The broad approach taken by Peksen is an obvious strength of this book, which is supported by a combination of case studies and a whole range of quantitative data from such sources around the world as USAID, Freedom House, and Polity IV. . . .Liberal Interventionism and Democracy Promotion is a well-researched book that deserves scholarly attention. The book's provocative findings stand in sharp contrast to the preponderance of current scholarship on the topic. * International Social Science Review * Liberal Interventionism and Democracy Promotion is empirically rich collection of well-researched studies that illuminates how various external actors-states, international organizations such as the UN, IMF, and EU, and transnational non-governmental organizations-can further democratization in targeted countries. It addresses some key questions in the vast literature on democratization, offering in many respects an optimistic and occasionally provocative take on the ability of outside actors to promote democracy. It deserves a wide audience among both academics and policy-makers. -- Paul Kubicek, Oakland University This is a welcome, finely wrought volume about the oft-misunderstood problem of liberal interventionism. Peksen and his analysts have offered an empirical analysis with a broad sweep that reveals some surprising answers to conventional wisdom. This sophisticated treatment sheds light on enduring questions, and opens a variety of new ones. -- KC Morrison, Mississippi State University