U.S. Elections Undermine America in Eastern Europe
December 7, 2004
Introducing a new commentary from Foreign Policy In Focus
U.S. Elections Undermine America in Eastern Europe
by Nat Parry
Through the 1990s, many Eastern Europeans considered the U.S. a model to follow, as an example of how successful nations can be when they embrace free-market economic policies and enshrine respect for individual liberties and civil rights. Now, thanks to irregularities in U.S. elections, America's moral leadership is eroding in the eyes of Eastern Europeans.
Parliamentarians who are accustomed to the U.S. observing their own elections and exerting political pressure to expand democracy were shocked by what they saw first-hand and heard about in detailed reports on November 2.An Albanian lawmaker said these incidents reminded her of anti-democratic tactics in Albania, and pointed out that when these abuses happen in the U.S., they encourage anti-democratic forces everywhere. And, Belarus, one of Europe's least democratic countries, appears to be using U.S. electoral flaws to excuse their own corrupt practices.
Foreign Policy In Focus (online at http://www.fpif.org) analyst Nat Parry has worked with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe as a research assistant and program officer periodically since 2001.
See new FPIF commentary online at:
http://www.fpif.org/commentary/2004/0412elections.html
With printer-friendly pdf version at:
http://www.fpif.org/pdf/gac/0412elections.pdf
Introducing a new commentary from Foreign Policy In Focus
U.S. Elections Undermine America in Eastern Europe
by Nat Parry
Through the 1990s, many Eastern Europeans considered the U.S. a model to follow, as an example of how successful nations can be when they embrace free-market economic policies and enshrine respect for individual liberties and civil rights. Now, thanks to irregularities in U.S. elections, America's moral leadership is eroding in the eyes of Eastern Europeans.
Parliamentarians who are accustomed to the U.S. observing their own elections and exerting political pressure to expand democracy were shocked by what they saw first-hand and heard about in detailed reports on November 2.An Albanian lawmaker said these incidents reminded her of anti-democratic tactics in Albania, and pointed out that when these abuses happen in the U.S., they encourage anti-democratic forces everywhere. And, Belarus, one of Europe's least democratic countries, appears to be using U.S. electoral flaws to excuse their own corrupt practices.
Foreign Policy In Focus (online at http://www.fpif.org) analyst Nat Parry has worked with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe as a research assistant and program officer periodically since 2001.
See new FPIF commentary online at:
http://www.fpif.org/commentary/2004/0412elections.html
With printer-friendly pdf version at:
http://www.fpif.org/pdf/gac/0412elections.pdf
Starmail - 7. Dez, 18:37
