This article discusses issues concerning the promotion of democracy and the assisting of civil society. It explains the process of building the infrastructure of civil society assistance and highlights criticisms against democracy-promotion programs. Many of the criticisms highlighted in this article provide something of a roadmap for ensuring that the incorporation of civil society into democracy-promotion programs generates some positive results. This article suggests that it is important to take into account the prime importance of social and economic development in the promotion of...

This article discusses issues concerning the promotion of democracy and the assisting of civil society. It explains the process of building the infrastructure of civil society assistance and highlights criticisms against democracy-promotion programs. Many of the criticisms highlighted in this article provide something of a roadmap for ensuring that the incorporation of civil society into democracy-promotion programs generates some positive results. This article suggests that it is important to take into account the prime importance of social and economic development in the promotion of democracy and that democracy promoters should think beyond non-governmental organizations (NGOs) when conceiving of civil society.