The Despot's Accomplice: How the West is Aiding and Abetting the Decline of Democracy - Rilegato

Klaas, Brian

Rilegato

ISBN 10: 1849046875 ISBN 13: 9781849046879

Casa editrice: C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd, 2016

Riassunto

For the first time since the end of the Cold War, the world is steadily becoming less democratic. The true culprits are dictators and counterfeit democrats. But, argues Klaas, the West is also an accomplice, inadvertently assaulting pro-democracy forces abroad as governments in Washington, London and Brussels chase pyrrhic short-term economic and security victories. Friendly fire from Western democracies against democracy abroad is too high a price to pay for a myopic foreign policy that is ultimately making the world less prosperous, stable and democratic. The Despot's Accomplice draws on years of extensive interviews on the frontlines of the global struggle for democracy, from a poetry-reading, politician-kidnapping general in Madagascar to Islamist torture victims in Tunisia, Belarusian opposition activists tailed by the KGB, West African rebels, and tea-sipping members of the Thai junta. Cumulatively, their stories weave together a tale of a broken system at the root of democracy's global retreat.

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Recensione:

'This efficient and thought-provoking plea for the U.S. and other Western countries to prioritize democracy promotion is a must-read... [Klaas] is no armchair academic, and his analyses of policymaking challenges are informed by extensive, and sometimes dangerous, field work... [He] is able to make his points simply and clearly, as in his observation that democracy, like free speech, must be protected regardless of whether it yields a preferred result.' --Publishers Weekly

'[The Despot's Accomplice] is written with precision and learning, with lively prose and dark humour. [Klaas'] proposals combine the conviction of an idealist with the experience of a technocrat. At a time when democracy is in retreat and the world seems headed for turbulence, this book can be the shot that revives this ailing patient.' --The National

'This is an important book for all who want to understand and do something about the crisis of democracy in our turbulent world. Klaas tells a disturbing story, but he offers hope and a dose of humour while showing how the West can turn the tide, if it acts wisely and quickly. Essential reading.' --Walter Mondale, Former Vice President of the United States, Ambassador to Japan, and United States Senator.

L'autore:

Brian Klaas is a Fellow in Comparative Politics at the London School of Economics, where he focuses on democratization and political violence. He has advised several national governments and major international NGOs, including International Crisis Group, the Carter Center, and One Earth Future. Klaas received his doctorate from the University of Oxford.

Su questa edizione

• Editore: C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd
• Data di pubblicazione: 2016
• ISBN 10: 1849046875
• ISBN 13: 9781849046879
• Rilegatura: Copertina rigida
• Numero di pagine: 256