Assessing the Role of the United States and the European Union in Democracy Promotion in Ukraine

Assessing the Role of the United States and the European Union in Democracy Promotion in Ukraine Public Deposited

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Mawby, Heidi Danielle
- Affiliation: College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Political Science

Abstract

Both the United States (US) and the European Union (EU) are involved in democracy promotion efforts across the world. This thesis examines how each employs its own approach for doing so, and how effective these approaches have been during two different phases of Ukrainian democracy. Although the approaches are complementary and both play a positive role for democracy in Ukraine, they have each been more effective during different phases. During Ukraine's latest transition phase, known as the Orange Revolution, the US "bottom-up approach," with its focus on free and fair elections as well as civil society, was more effective in helping the Ukrainians overcome their corrupt regime. The EU, with its "top-down" and integrative approach, is currently playing a more influential role in helping Ukraine consolidate its democratic gains.

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