Democracy Assistance and Political Transition in Russia: Between Success and Failure

Abstract

Sarah Mendelson of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy explores the success of Western nongovernmental organizations in fostering academic institutional development in Russia. Mendelson’s assessment is decidedly mixed. Although Western NGOs have contributed to the establishment of local-level democratic institutions and election practices, these achievements have been limited by nondemocratic practices and human rights abuses. Mendelson concludes with some suggestions for how local activists and Western NGOs can promote democratic activity at the national level.