In the aftermath of popular uprisings in the Middle East, Western aid-donors are confronted by a difficult dilemma. Should they work with anti-democratic or politically extreme domestic groups? Is excluding some parties in the name of democracy justified?
As Egypt, Tunisia, and others tenuously embark on democratization, the first tumultuous step is free and fair elections, and in the past few months, many political parties were born. Lacking organizational structures, experienced members, or programs, many parties struggle to perform basic democratic functions.
To help new parties overcome these difficulties, the transatlantic aid community provides finances, material aid, training, and consulting, similar to Eastern Europe in the 1990s. However, they are forced to choose between working with or without some political parties, which may flout democratic principles and values.In Egypt for example, Mubarak's National Democratic Party or the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood may be excluded. Hence, aid providers set a precedent for partisanship. How can external aid providers know the future range of popular preferences in former authoritarian systems? In any event, is excluding recipients inherently undemocratic?As aid providers begin assisting new parties in the Middle East, with whom should they work? Is excluding some parties in the name of democracy justified? If so, on what grounds? What do you think? By Mladen Joksic and Marlene Spoerri
For more information see:Spoerri, Marlene (2010) "Crossing the line: partisan party assistance in post-Miloševic Serbia," Democratization, 17: 6, 1108 - 1131
Carothers, Thomas (2007) Confronting the Weakest Link: Aiding Political Parties in New Democracies. Washington, DC: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
Burnell, Peter (2004) Building Better Democracy: Why Parties Matter. London: Westminster Foundation for Democracy.
Photo Credits in order of Appearance:Kodak Agfa Kodak Afga Rowan El Shimi Nasser Nouri Magharebia Department for International Development/Kate Joseph Takver Floris Van Cauwelaert Nasser Nouri