USAID: Democracy & Governance

Democracy & the U.S. National Interest
As the primary channel for U.S. foreign assistance in the developing world, USAID has taken a leading role in promoting and consolidating democracy worldwide. Expanding democracy improves individual opportunity for prosperity and improved well-being, thus contributing to the more traditional goals of the Agency. The strategic long-term domestic and foreign policy objectives of the United States are best served by enlarging the community of democratic nations worldwide. Establishing democratic institutions, free and open markets, an informed and educated populace, a vibrant civil society, and a relationship between state and society that encourages pluralism, participation, and peaceful conflict resolution -- all of these contribute to the goal of establishing sustainable democracies.

USAID Democracy & Governance Goals
The Agency focuses its efforts to promote democracy and good governance on four distinct, but related, goals:

• Strengthening the Rule of Law and Respect for Human Rights
  
  
• Promoting More Genuine and Competitive Elections & Political Processes
  
  
• Increased Development of a Politically Active Civil Society
  
  
• More Transparent and Accountable Governance

Progress in all four areas is necessary to achieve sustainable democracy.

USAID Definition of Democracy Programs
Democracy and governance programs are technical assistance and other support to strengthen capacity of reform-minded governments, non-governmental actors, and/or citizens in order to develop and support democratic states and institutions that are responsive and accountable to citizens. These efforts also include promoting democratic transitions in countries that are not reform-minded. Democracy programs promote the rule of law and human rights, transparent and fair elections coupled with a competitive political process, a free and independent media, stronger civil society and greater citizen participation in government, and governance structures that are efficient, responsive and accountable.