The United States, the European Union and many European countries provide financial and political
support to leaders and groups in many emerging democracies. Yet Europeans and Americans bring
different sensibilities to bear in their democracy programs. The U.S. tends to focus more on political
and civic development, while the EU tends to work more on deepening leaders’ capacities for good
governance. How well do European and American approaches to democracy support contend with
democracies under stress?
While there have been significant gains for democracy in the past two decades, not all developments
have been positive. In some places, such as Russia, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe, democracy has
deteriorated, but there has not been a coup or clear political rupture. Do countries that support
democracy have a responsibility to respond when democracy erodes, but does not collapse? In an
era of close international scrutiny, leaders may choose less obvious forms of repression that intimidate
opponents without triggering intervention by outsiders. As leading donors, the U.S. and EU need to be
alert to this problem. This volume examines European, American and other international approaches
to the erosion of democracy. Authors provide regional context and specific examples.