[EQ] Outreach: The Democracy and Development Link

The Democracy and Development Link

Development Outreach, November 2007 -- http://www1.worldbank.org/devoutreach/
Development OUTREACH is a flagship magazine in the field of global knowledge for development

Democracy: An adaptable system critical for development
-Guest Editorial
Abdoulaye Diop and Frannie Léautier

“….The relationship between democracy and development has elicited debate and discussion among researchers and policy
makers throughout history. Interest in their relationship has heightened in recent years due to the understanding that
democracy and development are essential for prosperous and equitable societies.

The concept of democracy has been known for millennia. Where it has been implemented, it has proved to be an adaptable
system with intrinsic appeal embedded in values and ethics that people hold dear. The creation of democratic societies in
prosperous times and the struggle to re-establish them following, for example, periods of war and autocratic rule is a positive
indication of the innate value of democracy and its relationship to human achievement and development.

Prosperous agglomerations of people, living in what, today, we call cities, were among the first signs of the link between democracy,
prosperity and the advancement of human rights. Early Sumerian city dwellers around 3500 BC are credited with being the
first practitioners of democracy.1 The ancient cities of Greece that appeared 2000 years later were known to sustain their
democratic practices through regular public assembly. Democracy was not limited to cities….”

Overcoming Autocratic Legacies
Joseph Siegle
Shows that countries that stay on the democratic path tend to generate higher rates of growth and social development.

Building Institutional Capacity for Democratization
Theodore J. Piccone
Argues that building institutional capacity for democratization requires developing both a culture of public service
in government agencies and effectively engaging the public in policy decisions.

Regional Organizations, Sustainable Development and Democratic Governance
Edward R. McMahon
Points out that regional organizations have the potential to play a critical role in the adoption and consolidation
of democratic values by providing the basis for the translation of universal norms and standards into reality in member states.

The Role of the Private Sector in Advancing Democratic Development: What works, what doesn’t, and why?
Papa Demba Thiam
Argues that democratic development and private sector development are mutually supportive and contribute to shared
growth and poverty reduction, but they need to be sustained by result oriented public-private partnership.

Democracy and Development in Mali
Zeïni Moulaye
Reports that in Mali democracy and development go hand in hand, and poses the question of how to leverage
this relationship to improve the condition of a country ranking among the poorest in the world.

 

*      *      *     * 

This message from the Pan American Health Organization, PAHO/WHO, is part of an effort to disseminate
information Related to: Equity; Health inequality; Socioeconomic inequality in health; Socioeconomic
health differentials; Gender; Violence; Poverty; Health Economics; Health Legislation; Ethnicity; Ethics;
Information Technology - Virtual libraries; Research & Science issues.  [DD/ IKM Area] 

“Materials provided in this electronic list are provided "as is". Unless expressly stated otherwise, the findings
and interpretations included in the Materials are those of the authors and not necessarily of The Pan American
Health Organization PAHO/WHO or its country members”.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PAHO/WHO Website: http://www.paho.org/

EQUITY List - Archives - Join/remove: http://listserv.paho.org/Archives/equidad.html

 

 

 

 

    IMPORTANT: This transmission is for use by the intended recipient and it may contain privileged, proprietary or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient or a person responsible for delivering this transmission to the intended recipient, you may not disclose, copy or distribute this transmission or take any action in reliance on it. If you received this transmission in error, please notify us immediately by email to infosec@paho.org, and please dispose of and delete this transmission. Thank you.