Can Democracy be exported? - 13, Jul 2007

Should western democratic values be promoted world wide?

In a timely new publication in the Hansard Society Democracy Series, Democracy and Intervention, Lord Bhikhu Parekh examines whether democracy can - or should - be exported from one country to another.

Lord Parekh notes that this issue has gained prominence in recent years, most notably as a feature within western, and particularly United States, foreign policy. His essay examines what constitutes a democracy and the inherent contradiction in attempting to spread democracy to countries which may not wish to adopt it.

Lord Parekh's main essay is complemented by three commentaries providing a range of alternative views, from Kate Jenkins, Vice Chair of the Hansard Society, Dr John Chipman, Director-General of the International Institute of Strategic Studies and Lindsey Hilsum, International Editor, Channel 4 News.

Kate Jenkins looks at the challenges to democracy that can occur when politics and religion meet. Dr John Chipman argues for good governance without full electoral democracy as a safer strategy than democracy without transparent and effective good governance. Lindsey Hilsum discusses the dangers and possible delusions that can arise with the desire to spread western liberal democracy. She focuses on the example of China where rapid economic development is not accompanied by democratic principles.

Democracy and Intervention is launched on Tuesday, 17 July 2007 at a public debate (6pm - 7.30pm) in the House of Commons. Speakers are Lord Bhikhu Parekh and Mike Gapes MP, Chair, Foreign Affairs Select Committee.

To attend, register with hans_admin@hansard.lse.ac.uk

For further information,contact Virginia Gibbons at the Hansard Society on 020 7438 1225 or 07812 765 552

Editors' Notes

• Previous publications in the Democracy Series:
  Democracy and Islam
  Democracy and Voting
  Democracy and Capitalism
  Democracy and Political Parties
• The Democracy Series is supported by the Ministry of Justice