Marketing Democracy: The Political Economy of Democracy Aid in the Middle East

Marketing Democracy examines the construction and practice of democracy aid in Washington DC and Egypt and Morocco, finding that it can strengthen rather than challenge authoritarian regimes. It challenges scholars to rethink how we study democracy aid and how the ideas of democracy that underlie it come to reflect the views of donors and recipient regimes.

Format: Hardback
Length: 250 pages
Publication date: 31 March 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

For nearly two decades, the United States has dedicated over $2 billion to promoting democracy in the Middle East, yet the impact has been limited. To understand the constraints and the decision of authoritarian regimes to allow democracy programs that aim to challenge their power, Marketing Democracy delves into the construction and practice of democracy aid in Washington, DC, and Egypt and Morocco, two of the top recipients of US democracy aid in the region. Through extensive fieldwork, novel new data on the professional backgrounds of democracy promoters, archival research, and recently declassified government documents, Erin A. Snider centers her research on the voices and practices of those engaged in democracy work over the past three decades. By offering a fresh framework for understanding the political economy of democracy aid, her findings challenge scholars to reevaluate how we study democracy assistance and how the ideas of democracy that underpin these programs reflect the perspectives of donors and recipient regimes rather than indigenous demand.

Introduction:
The United States has long been a major player in promoting democracy and human rights globally. However, the impact of its democracy promotion efforts in the Middle East has been a subject of debate and criticism. Despite the significant investment of resources, the United States has struggled to achieve its goals of promoting democracy and stability in the region.

Limited Impact of Democracy Promotion:
Over the past two decades, the United States has devoted more than $2 billion towards democracy promotion in the Middle East. However, the results have been mixed, with seemingly little impact on the political landscape of the region. Authoritarian regimes have often allowed democracy programs to operate, but these programs have often been limited in their scope and effectiveness.

Decision of Authoritarian Regimes:
One of the key factors contributing to the limited impact of democracy promotion is the decision of authoritarian regimes to allow these programs to operate. These regimes perceive democracy promotion as a threat to their power and stability, and they often use various tactics to undermine and control these programs.

Marketing Democracy:
Marketing Democracy is a book that seeks to understand the limited impact of democracy promotion in the Middle East and the decision of authoritarian regimes to allow these programs to operate. The book is written by Erin A. Snider, a professor of political science at the University of California, San Diego.

Research Methodology:
Snider conducted extensive fieldwork in Washington, DC, Egypt, and Morocco, interviewing democracy promoters, government officials, and other stakeholders. She also conducted archival research and reviewed recently declassified government documents to gather additional data.

Key Findings:
One of the key findings of Marketing Democracy is that democracy aid can work to strengthen rather than challenge authoritarian regimes. Snider argues that democracy promotion programs can provide valuable resources and support to opposition groups and civil society organizations, which can help to build momentum for democratic change.

Challenges:
However, there are several challenges to the effectiveness of democracy promotion in the Middle East. One of the biggest challenges is the lack of political will and commitment on the part of the United States and other international actors. There is also a lack of understanding of the local context and cultural dynamics, which can lead to missteps and misunderstandings.

Conclusion:
Marketing Democracy is a valuable contribution to the study of democracy promotion in the Middle East. The book provides a new framework for understanding the limited impact of democracy promotion and the decision of authoritarian regimes to allow these programs to operate. By challenging scholars to rethink how we study democracy aid and how the ideas of democracy that underlie these programs come to reflect the views of donors and recipient regimes rather than indigenous demand, the book offers a valuable insight into the complex dynamics of democracy promotion in the region.

Weight: 503g
ISBN-13: 9781108844260
Edition number: New ed