Project Abstract

Democracy promotion has been a major political project in the late 20^th and early 21^st century. Despite notable advances with the 'third wave', democratisation in global politics has not been a simple linear process, nor has democracy promotion been an uncontested affair. Indeed, in recent years many commentators have been increasingly critical of the international democracy promotion agenda. Although a rich academic and policy literature exists, the complex problems of democratisation and democracy promotion remain insufficiently understood. The majority of existing studies focus on analysis of particular empirical variables behind the success (or lack thereof) of democratisation, investigation of specific policy outcomes, or examination of policy implementation problems on the ground. While these empirical studies have been fruitful in generating new data, this project is motivated by the belief that these set of issues can also be investigated from a different angle, by focusing on the analysis of the underlying conceptual limitations embedded in approaches to democracy promotion. Notably, this project puts emphasis on investigating the conceptual underpinnings concerning the kinds of democracy that are advocated in the world system.

The 'Political Economies of Democratisation' project starts from the premise that two important underlying conceptual problems have not been adequately taken into account in democracy promotion and analysis thereof. First, the implications for democracy promotion that derive from the essentially contested nature of the idea of democracy have not been fully explored. Second, there has not been adequate recognition of the deeply contextual nature of the models of democracy promoted in the world system; the fact that conceptions of democracy are not universal but emerge in specific circumstances, reflecting particular social, economic and political orders and discourses. The research being conducted thus seeks to pluralise and contextualise conceptions of democracy associated with democracy promotion.

As its title suggests, the project engages with these general aims specifically in relation to (politico)economic discourses. It investigates the ways in which models of democracy are conditioned by economic discourses and the range of 'politico-economic models of democracy' available for democracy promotion in current world politics. The project research revolves around three sets of issues. Theoretically, (1) the project aims to elucidate the extent to which and the ways in which conceptions of democracy are shaped by different (politico)economic discourses and theories. Empirically, (2) the project asks: which 'politico-economic models of democracy' are currently promoted in world politics and with what effect? In terms of policy-design (3) the project seeks to uncover how democracy promotion can be enriched by an awareness and consideration of different politico-economic models of democracy.

The aim of the project is to seek an interface between conceptual/theoretical exploration of the idea of democracy and concrete practices and policies of democracy promotion. By opening up debate on conceptions of democracy the project seeks to re-invigorate academic, practitioner and public debate on the nature and aims of democracy promotion. The project involves a number of events seeking to bring together scholars and policymakers from different regions, organisations and perspectives. A 20-part external speaker series is organised within the project as well as well as a major workshop in the summer of 2010.