Confronting the Weakest Link: Aiding Political Parties in New Democracies

摘要: Beset with persistent problems of self-interest, corruption, ideological incoherence, and narrow electoral majorities, political parties are the weakest link in many democratic transitions around world. A large ever-growing number U.S., European, multilateral assistance programs seek to help become effective pro-democratic actors. But given depth problems, is success possible? Confronting Weakest Link a pathbreaking study international aid for parties. Beginning penetrating analysis party shortcomings developing postcommunist countries, Thomas Carothers draws on extensive field research diagnose chronic deficiencies aid, assess its overall impact, offer practical ideas doing better. This critical spans Latin America, Central Eastern Europe, former Soviet Union, Africa, Middle East, Asia. It sheds invaluable light major element contemporary challenge democracy building, subject now occupying center stage policy arena.