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Democracy Out of Balance: Civil Society Can’t Replace Political Parties

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March 8, 2007

Democracy Out of Balance: Civil Society Can’t Replace Political Parties

This article highlights the recent increase in programs devoted to civil society development, and the simultaneous decrease in programs aimed at strengthening political parties and institutions. The author argues that strengthening political parties and institutions is critical to democratic development, and that even in countries with strong civil societies, weak political parties and institutions may hamper the development of a healthy democracy.

Resource type

This article highlights the recent increase in programs devoted to civil society development, and the simultaneous decrease in programs aimed at strengthening political parties and institutions. The author argues that strengthening political parties and institutions is critical to democratic development, and that even in countries with strong civil societies, weak political parties and institutions may hamper the development of a healthy democracy.

Resource type