Democracy Promotion: An Objective of U.S. Foreign Assistance Page: 2 of 23
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Democracy Promotion: An Objective of U.S. Foreign Assistance
Summary
Promoting democratic institutions, processes, and values has long been a U.S. foreign policy
objective, though the priority given to this objective has been inconsistent. World events,
competing priorities, and political change within the United States all shape the attention and
resources provided to democracy promotion efforts and influence whether such efforts focus on
supporting fair elections abroad, strengthening civil society, promoting rule of law and human
rights, or other aspects of democracy promotion.
Proponents of democracy promotion often assert that such efforts are essential to global
development and U.S. security because stable democracies tend to have better economic growth
and stronger protection of human rights, and are less likely to go to war with one another. Critics
contend that U.S. relations with foreign countries should focus exclusively on U.S. interests and
stability in the world order. U.S. interest in global stability, regardless of the democratic nature of
national political systems, could discourage U.S. support for democratic transitions-the
implementation of which is uncertain and may lead to more, rather than less, instability.
Funding for democracy promotion assistance is deeply integrated into U.S. foreign policy
institutions. More than $2 billion annually has been allocated from foreign assistance funds over
the past decade for democracy promotion activities managed by the State Department, the U.S.
Agency for International Development, the National Endowment for Democracy, and other
entities. Programs promoting good governance (characterized by participation, transparency,
accountability, effectiveness, and equity), rule of law, and promotion of human rights have
typically received the largest share of this funding in contrast to lower funding to promote
electoral processes and political competition. In recent years, increasing restrictions imposed by
some foreign governments on civil society organizations have resulted in an increased emphasis
in democracy promotion assistance for strengthening civil society.
Despite bipartisan support for the general concept of democracy promotion, policy debates in the
115th Congress continue to question the consistency, effectiveness, and appropriateness of such
foreign assistance. With the Trump Administration indicating that democracy and human rights
might not be a top foreign policy priority, advocates in Congress may be challenged to find
common ground with the Administration on this issue.
As part of its budget and oversight responsibilities, the 115th Congress may consider the impact of
the Trump Administration's requested FY2018 foreign assistance spending cuts on U.S.
democracy promotion assistance, review the effectiveness of democracy promotion activities,
evaluate the various channels available for democracy promotion, and consider where democracy
promotion ranks among a wide range of foreign policy and budget priorities.Congressional Research Service
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Lawson, Marian L. & Susan B. Democracy Promotion: An Objective of U.S. Foreign Assistance, report, May 31, 2017; Washington D.C.. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1020840/m1/2/?q=%22foreign+aid%22: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.