Publication

This Policy Perspective uses Belarus as a case study to explore the promises and perils of trying to promote democracy in authoritarian states. More specifically, the paper's author focuses on 1) the democracy promotion policies of the EU and US towards Belarus; 2) the reasons why Western actors have failed to inspire democratic reforms in the country, despite the local steps they've taken to 'sell' them; and 3) what broader lessons Belarus can teach democracy advocates about promoting the concept elsewhere, especially in Russia.