International Dimensions of Democracy

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International Dimensions of Democracy
Žaneta Ozolina Toms Rostoks
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How to assess the international dimension of
democracy for Latvian foreign policy?

• To what extent is Latvia independent of external
  agents in achieving its foreign and domestic aims
  and to what extent are the external and internal
  policies implemented without unwarranted
  intervention by external actors?
• To what extent does Latvia take public opinion
  into account when creating and implementing its
  foreign policy are there mechanisms in place
  which enable society to influence foreign policy?
  
• To what extent is Latvia supporting the spread of
  democracy across the globe?

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What has changed in the last 10 years?

• Further integration into the EU and within the
  framework of NATO have continued autonomy
  vis-a-vis icreased coordination.
• Economic crisis has left a considerable impact on
  Latvias foreign policy. The extreme reduction of
  funding for defence and foreign affairs has
  affected the ability of Latvia to achieve its
  foreign policy aims.
• EU and NATO membership has encouraged Latvia to
  integrate the democracy support component in its
  foreign policy.

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Audit of Democracy 2005-2014
How democratic is Latvia?

• How free is the governance of the country from
  subordination to external agencies, economic,
  cultural or political?
• To what extent are government relations with
  international organisations based on the
  principles of partnership and transparency?
• To what extent does the government support UN
  human rights treaties and respect international
  law?
• To what extent does the government respect its
  international obligations in its treatment of
  refugees and asylum seekers, and how free from
  arbitrary discrimination is its immigration
  policy?
• How consistent is the government in its support
  for human rights and democracy abroad?

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Audit of Democracy 2005-2014
How democratic is Latvia?

• How free is the governance of the country from
  subordination to external agencies, economic,
  cultural or political?

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Audit of Democracy 2005-2014
How democratic is Latvia?
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Audit of Democracy 2005-2014
How democratic is Latvia?

• How consistent is the government in its support
  for human rights and democracy abroad?

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To what extent do you support Latvias
participation in democracy support programmes in
the world?
Audit of Democracy 2005-2014
How consistent is the government in its support
for human rights and democracy abroad?
  Support Do not support DN
Eastern Partnership countries 39 39 22
Central Asia 28 45 27
Other countries 21 52 27
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Audit of Democracy 2005-2014
How consistent is the government in its support
for human rights and democracy abroad?
  Number of development cooperation projects implemented by Latvia Number of development cooperation projects implemented by Latvia Number of development cooperation projects implemented by Latvia Number of development cooperation projects implemented by Latvia Number of development cooperation projects implemented by Latvia
Year Georgia Moldova Ukraine Belorussia Others
2005 3 8 0 0 0
2006 6 9 0 1 0
2007 10 15 9 6 2
2008 8 9 9 6 6
2009 2 0 1 0 0
2010 0 2 0 0 1
Total 29 43 19 13 9
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Summary
Audit of Democracy 2005-2014 Are the countrys
external relations conducted in accordance with
democratic norms, and is it itself free from
external subordination?
  Very good Good Satisfactory Poor Very poor
15.1     X    
15.2   X      
15.3   X      
15.4   X      
15.5     X    
15.6   X      
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Audit of Democracy 2005-2014
How democratic is Latvia?

• Thank you!