Strengthening Political Parties in Fragile States
On 25 February, CDI Director Prof Ben Reilly gave a presentation to AusAID's Governance and Anti-Corruption Network on 'Strengthening Political Parties in Fragile States'. Prof Reilly's seminar drew on a new CDI-IDEA-UNU Policy Brief and forthcoming edited book on this subject.
Prof Reilly's presentation surveyed the growing trend for developing democracies to try to strengthen their party systems by regulating the way political parties can form, organize and behave. He examined these attempts at political party 'engineering' in conflict-prone societies and considered how best to promote stable, non-sectarian political parties - an essential component of democracy - whilst also allowing free political expression and minority representation. Prof Reilly discussed the practical application of these measures, particularly in key focus countries such as Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.
Click on this link for a copy of the CDI-IDEA-UNU Policy Brief:
