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Overcoming the ownership dilemma: Contributing to peace and democracy in El Salvador and the Philippines
Author(s) -
ZuluetaFülscher Kimana
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
development policy review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.671
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1467-7679
pISSN - 0950-6764
DOI - 10.1111/dpr.12230
Subject(s) - consolidation (business) , dilemma , democratization , democratic consolidation , democracy , political science , political economy , state (computer science) , development economics , economics , politics , law , philosophy , accounting , epistemology , algorithm , computer science
El Salvador and the Philippines have had relatively successful democratization processes and decades of sustained international support, but continue to experience high levels of violence from non‐state actors that prevent or delay the consolidation of democracy. How has international support helped or hindered these processes? This article finds that frequently donors and local stakeholders are vulnerable to the “ownership dilemma.” External donors often focus on strengthening state institutions rather than promoting inclusiveness. This is often the result of institutional capture by local elites that are reluctant to pursue structural reforms. While external support rarely has the influence to decisively shape processes of democratic consolidation, the analysis finds that windows of opportunity may emerge and assist in deepening support for consolidation.