Political Conditionality - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0714641014 ISBN 13: 9780714641010

Publisher: Routledge, 1993

Synopsis

Political conditionality involves the linking of development aid to certain standards of observance of human rights and (liberal) democracy in recipient countries. Although this may seem to be an innocent policy, it has the potential to bring about a dramatic change in the basic principles of the international system: putting human rights first means putting respect for individuals and rights before respect for the sovereignty of states.

About this title

About the Author

GEORGEORG SØRENSEN

From the Back Cover

This volume explores the promises, problems and pitfalls of political conditionality. Political conditionality involves the linking of development aid to certain standards of observance of human rights and (liberal) democracy in recipient countries. Although this may seem to be an innocent policy, it has the potential to bring about a dramatic change in the basic principles of the international system: putting human rights first means conferring on respect for individuals and individual rights priority over respect for the sovereignty of states. What are the consequences? The articles in this collection provide both case studies and more general analyses of conditionality from various points of view. Overall, they show that political conditionality will never be a device guaranteed to ensure sustained democratic progress in developing countries. It may have a minor role to play in specific situations where governments abuse political and other human rights, provided the country in question is susceptible to donor pressure and provided donors are willing to apply such pressure in a consistent manner. There is also room for positive measures with the aim of strengthening groups in civil society and institutions supporting the process of democratisation. Otherwise, the notion of political conditionality may have a lasting effect if it leads donors to think about the broader moral foundations of their own policies towards the developing world. Unfortunately the developing countries at present do not carry the necessary weight required to force these deeper issues to prominence on the international agenda.

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 1993
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0714641014
• ISBN 13: 9780714641010
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 140
• Editor: Sorensen Georg