International Relations Report: Democracy, Security, and Challenges

This report delves into critical aspects of international relations, examining the extent to which spreading democracy should be considered a national security interest. It highlights the inherent conflict in democracies and the belief that democratic nations promote economic development and global stability. The report further outlines the key components of good governance, emphasizing transparency, responsiveness, the rule of law, participation, equity, and accountability. It analyzes the challenges democracies face in fragile states, characterized by poverty, poor governance, and instability, and explores alternatives such as political negotiation and power sharing to resolve conflicts and foster stability. The report underscores the importance of addressing these challenges to enhance international cooperation and promote sustainable development.

Running head : INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
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INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. To what degree should spreading democracy be considered national security interests?
Democracies are conflicting in nature. One of the few findings in international relations is that
democracies can never go to war with each other. Foreign policy advocators believe that it is
necessary to work with other governments on the basic principle of interests and other aspects as
this will create worldwide stability. It is also believed that democracy creates economic
development. Some political thinkers are of the opinion that democratic elements facilitate long-
term economic development. The most important of these elements are freedom of expression,
promoting innovation, the rule of law for investors and diminishing corruption. A democratic
nation gives equal opportunities and access to equal justice. Democratization in the U.S. can help
in restricting refugees in entering the country, reducing threats to the nation, more economic
partners for trading and business purposes.
2.What are the key components of governance reform?
The key components of good governance are transparency, responsiveness, rule of law,
participation, equity, consensus orientation, effectiveness and efficiency, accountability and a
strategic vision. All the citizens should be able to voice their views and opinions when it comes
to decision making. The legal frameworks should be equal for all the men and women
irrespective of their age, background, religious faith. Transparency is necessary in order to build
the free flow of knowledge and information. It is the nature of a good governance to deem what
is best for the interest of the people. The governmental body must be dependable for making the
best use of all resources. Decision and policy-makers are accountable to the public. Institutional
leaders and the public always have a long-term goal and in order to sustain such goals it is
important to have a strategic planning of the same. All these aspects need to be taken into
account in order to have a good governmental body. Poor governance has a negative impact on
the overall growth of the nation. It decreases the efficacy of international aid and investments.
This often leads to instability within the nation and conflict issues.
3.What are the challenges of democracies in fragile sates and what are the alternatives?
Fragile states are characterized by extreme poverty, poor governance, lack of commitment
towards the citizens and failure to provide equity and justice, basic social and economic
securities, unable to use resources to its full potential and effectively handle conflicts. Fragility is
not a permanent condition. Therefore, it has some remedies to control it. Most of the fragile
countries are dependent on aids and are least developed economically and socially. One of the
causes of fragile states is instability and illegitimacy of the governing body. Unstable
governments cannot deliver good policies. Hence, policy formulation is weak and a sense of
order is missing in most of the cases. The government in a fragile states fails to provide any kind
of security to the citizens. Nations like Haiti, Rwanda, Mozambique, Afghanistan, Indonesia,
Bosnia are few examples of fragile states. The term ‘nation building’ has gained popularity
during the international interventions in nations like Iraq, Afghanistan and other militarized
nations.

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INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
To end violent conflicts it is important to have political negotiations before any
government can move ahead sustainably. Hence, a common settlement among the power nations
is of vital importance. This will help in establishing “survival functions” These functions will
enable in setting security and implementing the rule of law. Power sharing can also help in
ending conflicts in fragile states. Power sharing suggests various types of political and
institutional arrangements that can bemused to bring different parties into the government. It will
also help in establishing security and ending conflicts. Power sharing will enable the opportunity
in expanding participation.