The democratization project : opportunities and challenges / edited by Ashok Swain, Ramses Amer, and Joakim Öjendal.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Swain, Ashok.

Amer, Ramses.

Öjendal, Joakim.

Swedish Network of Peace, Conflict, and Development Research. Conference (2007 : Uppsala, Sweden)

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Democratization--Congresses.

Democratization.

Peace-building--Congresses.

Peace-building.

Genre:

Conference papers and proceedings.

Physical Description:

xiv, 182 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

London ; New York : Anthem Press, 2009.

Summary:

Democratization is a field where unexpected and sudden events have repeatedly challenged conventional wisdom. For example, who in the mid-1970s would have foreseen the democratization of Cambodia, Albania, South Africa or East Timor? Our current 'wave' of democratization is complex and diverse and understanding it requires a variety of theoretical approaches.

Most of the literature on democracy assumes that it is the best form of government. Theoretical works on democratic transition and democratization have also emphasized the internal conflict resolution capacity of democracy. It has been reasoned that democracy reduces the likelihood of discrimination, especially of ethno-political minorities, and thus the possibility of political repression. However, the democratic peace theory has not been explicitly tested with reference to third world post-colonial states, where most internal violent conflicts take place. Certainly, there is a dearth of practical advice for policy makers on how to design and implement democratic levers that can make internal peace and stability endure in the South.

This volume, drawing on the work of a variety of scholars, will contribute to identifying and understanding the challenges and opportunities of this 'democratization project' to the peace and development of the world both at the domestic level in selected countries, trends in regions of the world, and in the global system of the post-Cold War Era.

Contents:

1 The Democratization Project: Peace, Conflict and Development / Ashok Swain, Ramses Amer, Joakim Öjendal 1

2 Non-Authorized Military Interventions and Legitimization by the United Nations / Ramses Amer 17

3 From Condemnation to Legitimization of Outcome: The United Nations and the Use of Force in Inter-State Relations / Patrick Johansson, Ramses Amer 39

4 Demos or Deus: Patterns of Religious Dimensions in Asian Armed Conflicts, 1945-2005 / Isak Svensson, David Rangdrol 67

5 The Left and Democratic Consolidation - Deepening Democracy in Latin America? / Martin Nilson 87

6 Democracy without People? - The Risk of Monopolizing the Democratization Project / Luz Paula Parra-Rosales 105

7 The Role of Hamas in Building Palestinian Democracy in the Midst of Violence / Michael Schulz 113

8 Elections and Violence in Sri Lanka: Understanding Variation Across Three Parliamentary Elections / Kristine Höglund 135

9 Post-Accord Elections and Armed Conflict / Anna K. Jarstad 153

10 Peace Through Democracy? The Challenges of Postwar Democratization in Weak and War-Torn States / Thomas Ohlson, Mimmi Söderberg Kovacs 165.

Notes:

Revisions of papers presented at the Annual Conference of the Swedish Network of Peace, Conflict, and Development Research held in 2007 in Uppsala, Sweden.

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN:

9781843313144

1843313146

9781843313250

1843313251

OCLC:

263498278