"This book provides a systematic and comparative investigation of policies and practices in the 1990s to promote political reform in Southern 'recipient' countries. The use of both 'carrot' and 'stick' is examined: that is, democracy assistance and aid sanctions. The book addresses wide-ranging and controversial questions. Should donor governments impose political conditionality? Is it legitimate to intervene in favour of democracy and human right? Is the promotion of democracy restricted to the establishment of multi-party elections, or is the strengthening of autonomous organizations of civil society seriously attempted? Such questions are addressed through a comparative examination of the activities of four selected aid donors: the governments of Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United states as well as the European Union's development programme"--BOOK JACKET.