Suchergebnisse

PEOPLE MOW LIVE IN A HISTORICAL PERIOD CHARACTERIZED BY A GLOBAL "WAVE OF DEMOCRATIZATION." THEY CAN DEBATE WHETHER IT CONSTITUTES A "THIRD" OR RATHER A "FOURTH" WAVE IN THE MODERN ERA, BUT THERE'S NO DENYING THAT THE NUMBER OF NATIONS ADOPTING DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS AND PROCEDURES IN RECENT YEARS HAS GROWN CONSIDERABLY. IT MAY BE THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY A MAJORITY OF THE WORLD'S POPULATION LIVES UNDER A POLITICAL REGIME ONE CAN CAUTIOUSLY CALL "DEMOCRATIC." THE TRANSITION FROM AUTOCRACY OR ANARCHY TO DEMOCRACY, AND THE CONSOLIDATION OF DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS, DEPENDS LARGELY ON FACTORS INTERNAL TO EACH POLITY. "TRANSITOLOGIESTS" HAVE IDENTIFIED SOME OF THESE FACTORS, BUT THERE'S LITTLE CONSENSUS YET OVER THEIR RELATIVE IMPORTANCE AND INTERPLAY. BUT THESE FACTORS ARE ALSO LINKED TO INFLUENCES FROM THE INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT. SOME BELIEVE, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT THE CURRENT WAVE OF DEMOCRATIZATION REPRESENTS MERELY A "CONTAGION" PASSING FROM ONE COUNTRY TO ANOTHER.

The forms of electoral assistance provided by the United Nations & the challenges of supplying such support to transitional states are examined. Overviews of the United Nations provisions regarding electoral assistance & the importance of needs-assessment missions as part of the evaluation procedure are provided. The different types of electoral assistance offered by the United Nations are subsequently identified, eg, election supervision & verification & technical assistance provision. Attention is then dedicated to exploring other United Nations offices & international organizations that cooperate with the United Nations Electoral Assistance Division. Several economic, political, & social difficulties that have obstructed the United Nations provision of electoral backing are also highlighted, eg, the United Nations does not possess considerable financial resources, is asked to provide assistance in uncompetitive elections, & must educate voters about election processes. It is concluded that the United Nations offer of electoral support is complicated by its frequent concomitant role as peacekeeper. J. W. Parker

Cover -- Half Title -- Dedication -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Table of Contents -- List of Figures -- List of Tables -- Preface -- List of Abbreviations -- 1 Introduction -- 2 The Palestinian Territories -- 3 EU Electoral Assistance in the PT -- 4 US Electoral Assistance in the PT -- 5 Canada Democracy Promotion in the PT -- 6 Conclusion -- Annexes -- References

Between 2007 and 2014 the United Nations (UN) assisted more than one-third of all national elections worldwide. Its experts routinely provide substantial technical advice on election management, logistical support such as the procurement of ballot papers and financial assistance. However, it remains doubtful if, and under which conditions, such assistance contributes to free and fair elections or has a positive long-term impact on democratization. This study assesses the impact of UN electoral assistance (UNEA) in Sudan, Nigeria and Libya. It finds that such assistance contributed to election quality in the presence of regime elites prioritizing electoral credibility in Nigeria (2011) and Libya (2012). In Nigeria, it seems plausible that UNEA had a medium-term impact on democratization. However, if regime elites undermine electoral freedom and fairness – as in Sudan (2010) – such positive effects are unlikely. Furthermore, in such contexts, the involvement of the UN may legitimize authoritarian practices.