"This study critically evaluates international democratization assistance in postconflict societies to discern what has worked, what has not, and how aid programs can be designed to have a more positive impact. The authors offer a unique recipient perspective as they explore three dimensions of demo
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cracy promotion: elections, free media, and human rights. Drawing on the experiences of Afghanistan, Cambodia, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Mozambique, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Uganda, they suggest concrete ways in which the international community can better foster democratization in the wake of conflict." (Publisher description)
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"The experience of establishing community stations in Afghanistan provides four distinct, but interrelated lessons [...] The project has demonstrated that international organizations can promote community stations in impoverished, war-tron societies that have had no experience of independent or comm
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ercial media. Second, community radio can provide not only news but also a stimulus for grassroots democracy and social networks [...] Third, the Afghanistan example also suggests that community radio stations can raise modest resources locally [...] Fourth, in a politically and economically fragile environment, most community stations may require long-term financial support." (Lessons and recommendations, page 270-271)
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"[...] aid for the media in El Salvador played a role in shaping a more open, tolerant tone for political debate and a more dynamic news media. Although the assistance was relatively modest, it came at a pivotal moment after the signing of the peace accords. To realize the full potential of media as
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sistance in any society, conducive political conditions are crucial. Donors could have better exploited the opportunity in El Salvador with a more generous, coordinated, farsighted strategy." (Lessons and recommendations, page 252-253)
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"Highlights the major accomplishments and setbacks of electoral, human rights and media assistance to eight post-conflict countries: Cambodia, Ethipoia, Rwanda, Uganda, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, El Salvador and Guatemala. International assistance has been instrumental in encouraging democratic initi
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atives in post-Conflict societies. However, democracy assistance has not been as effective as it could have been for a number of reasons." (commbox)
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