Access the full text.
Sign up today, get DeepDyve free for 14 days.
Loading next page...
/lp/wiley/pax-democratica-the-gospel-according-to-st-democracy-3HiZp6M80a
References (0)
References for this paper are not available at this time. We will be adding them shortly, thank you for your patience.
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Copyright
- Copyright © 2003 Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company
- ISSN
- 0004-9522
- eISSN
- 1467-8497
- DOI
- 10.1111/1467-8497.00304
- Publisher site
- See Article on Publisher Site
Abstract
The thaw of the Cold War ended the chess game between the superpowers and seemingly gave new momentum to the revival and spread of liberal democracy and its corollary, capitalism. Just as missionaries once offered Christianity to “save” colonised peoples, democracy has become the new gospel promising “salvation”. Both donor and recipient countries appeal to democracy, hoping that it will reverse decades of misfortune. Donor nations and multilateral financial institutions preach democratic governance. “Born again democratic” national leaders in the South who are intent on clinging to power attend to their sermons. None appear to have a genuine faith in democracy. While some nations and NGOs do give altruistically, most use foreign aid as another means of pursuing their national interest. Democracy is an elastic concept. Indeed it seems, at least at this point, that the new gospel of democracy is but a convenient tool used by different players for they own selfish reasons.
Journal
Australian Journal of Politics and History – Wiley
Published: Jun 1, 2003