Exporting Democracy: The Risks and Rewards of Pursuing a Good Idea

by Bob Rae

The way most Western politicians talk, democracy is the pinnacle of civilization, the best political system there is. Many think it's the system the rest of the world ought to adopt. Bob Rae is not one of them. He is too well informed about the difficulties and dangers of implanting democracy in foreign lands. Exporting Democracy is an eloquently argued book in which Rae brings his lively, nuanced understanding to bear on the history and current fortunes of this powerful idea. He shows how it and the related ideas of freedom, human rights, and federalism have been pushed to centre stage by the collapse of Soviet communism and by ongoing wars to topple secular and religious dictatorships in the Middle East. He's also witnessed attempts to implant democracy in three countries riven by tribal and ethnic divisions, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka, and offers readers a cool appraisal of the effort.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction

288 pages, Hardcover

First published October 2, 2010

About the author

Robert Keith "Bob" Rae, PC, OC, OOnt, QC, MP is a Canadian politician.

Rae was elected as a New Democratic Party Member of Parliament in 1978, serving as finance critic. He won the leadership of the Ontario New Democratic Party in 1982, signed the Liberal-NDP Accord to support David Peterson's minority Liberal government between 1985 and 1990, and served as Premier of Ontario between 1990 and 1995. Rae publicly severed ties with the NDP in 2002, returning to political life in 2006 with an unsuccessful bid for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada. Rae was elected MP for Toronto Centre in 2008 and contested the Liberal leadership in 2009 before withdrawing his candidacy. He was selected interim leader in 2011 following the resignation of Michael Ignatieff.

Rae was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2000, and in 2004 he was awarded the Order of Ontario. He was appointed the sixth chancellor of Wilfrid Laurier University on July 2, 2003, and was installed at that school's fall convocation in October. Rae also became a partner at Goodmans LLP, a Toronto-based corporate law firm, an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto, and a Senior Fellow of Massey College. He has written four books: From Protest to Power: Personal Reflections on a Life in Politics (1996), Three Questions: Prosperity and the Public Good (1998), Canada in the Balance (2006), and Exporting Democracy: The Risks and Rewards of Pursuing a Good Idea (2010).

Reviews

[Stanley Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

simple to read book on geopolitics as of 2011

[David Mcphee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Democracy by itself can be a dangerous panacea. It must be conjoined with an indepndent rule of law, a committment to social equity and a free market economy. Hamas is a democratically elected government now...nuff said.

An interesting read, tough tough subject, bravely and competently explored. The bottom line is that the history of democratic growth has been extrordinarily violent, because the western world has viewed democracy as a cause to impose and a product to export, both of which are extaordinaly dangerous perspectives, which often hampers the growth and success of true rule of law democracy.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

good summary of history of democracy; good caution about the importance of local factors in trying to introduce democracy, and that rule of law with independent judiciary and press are vital. Limits on the ability of elements of society to either buy or intimidate their way to power are also vital. In societies that are regionally divided (Sri Lanka, Iraq, Afghanistan, Turkey, Russia, Pakistan,...) he makes the case that federalism is a key tool for managing tensions - resentment of Ottawa might be reduced if your provincial government is making your case for you (but your regional government might just stoke regional resentment in a grab for more power (see Scotland, Quebec...

[Jake · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book. Bob Rae is one of the few politicians willing to ask the tough questions. However, his attempt to answer these questions is less than focused. At times I was not sure if the book was autobiographical, political or philosophical, not to say good works can't be all three. Rae's argument simply appeared scattered and gave at best a foggy outline on the changing face of democracy abroad. The strengths rest in his fluid writing and breadth of geopolitical knowledge which fail to create a strong whole.

[Derek Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was an interesting overview of the roots of democracy, and some of the practical challenges in applying it in different settings, drawing on some of Rae's own real world experience. Unfortunately it was a little short on practical advice or approaches to be used.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book started off a little slowly but was worth the read. As we got closer to today when Rae's own personal experience came into play the book became much easier to read.

He's very insightful and incredibly smart - makes me proud to have had a chance to vote for him all those years ago ;)