Introduction

Abstract

This book constitutes a second volume to Global Perspectives on US Foreign Policy: From the Outside In. It follows the same form as the first volume, providing a range of perspectives of American foreign policy from those who are on the receiving end of it. In this volume, we have chosen to focus on a very contentious aspect of US foreign policy—its efforts at democratization around the globe. Given the existence of an extensive literature examining US democratization assistance, one might ask, is there a need for yet another book on the subject. The answer is yes, because this is a book that explores US assistance with democratization in specific parts of the world, and it is written by natives of the countries under study. This provides a unique perspective for the conduct of these analyses. Understanding US foreign policy as it is understood by those who directly feel its impact, rather than determine it, is an important task, and it is the aim of this volume to assist with providing that understanding. As such, a group of scholars on international relations from around the globe have provided insights into US democratization efforts in their countries (or aspects of it) by giving their perspectives of them. These form the chapters of this book. Some of the theories and insights provided by previous studies and writings on US democratization inform these contributions. The aim, though, is not to rehash debates about US democracy assistance that can be found in the existing literature but rather to add a new dimension to these debates through the addition of broader perspectives that can only be provided by those on the outside looking in.