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| >> Foreign Aid in the National Interest >> Chapter 1 |
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Jump to Chapter 1 Sections: Only if governance becomes more democratic and accountable will development occur in the poorly performing countries. And only with a comprehensive, consistent, "tough love" approach from the international community is political will for governance reform likely to emerge and to be sustained. Once there is evidence of such political will, assistance for democracy and governance must work on many fronts to develop the institutions that fight corruption and defend the rule of law, to strengthen and democratize political parties, and to improve the functioning of representative and administrative institutions. Where political will for decent governance is lacking, there is no higher priority for development than to generate it and probably no way to do so except through aid to civil society. But where democratic governance reforms do take place, the international community must back them with more than words and more even than assistance for democracy and governance. Countries and leaders that improve governance must realize rapid, tangible rewards for the progress they make and the risks they take. Good performers-and these will be mainly democracies fighting corruption-must see their countries move onto a different path, one where average incomes rise, where the quality of daily life visibly improves, and where resources flow in to improve health, education, and public infrastructure. Although some democracy and governance programs have been in place for some time, sustained efforts to promote democratic governance are still at a relatively early stage. But some lessons are clear. Strategies for promoting democracy and good governance must focus relentlessly on generating and sustaining political will for systemic reform, with diplomacy and aid working hand in hand. Donors must work with one another. Experience must be shared across borders. And democracy and governance objectives must inform and inspire development assistance in every sector. To have an impact on the difficult and seemingly intractable cases, the United States and other donors must do more, more coherently, across a range of objectives, and must sustain the effort (with periodic assessment and adaptation) over a long period. This will require a patience and long-term perspective to which Americans are unaccustomed and which does not come easily in a democracy with short electoral cycles. Background paper |
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