Partnership for Democracy

ALARMIST HEADLINES notwithstanding, Latin America is not on the verge of violent, anti-American revolutions nor has the United States abandoned its backyard. To be sure, leftist leaders at times will keep a healthy distance from certain U.S. policies, but we should not interpret that as a wholesale rejection of market-led economic policies, democracy or general interaction with Washington.

For its part, the United States can help Latin America consolidate its democracy and promote socio-economic development by recognizing that we don't have all the solutions nor are we able to determine outcomes in the region--for better or for worse. But the United States must play a significant supporting role as the region continues to consolidate different degrees of democratic and economic practices. Trade, technical assistance and military training are some of the critical areas where Washington should continue to act as a partner. It is in our national interest to see that democracy flourishes in Latin America under both right-wing and left-wing governments. A strong democratic foundation is necessary if equitable and lasting socio-economic development is finally to thrive.

In the long run, the Castro-Chavez "revolution" will fall under the weight of its own ineptitude and anachronistic authoritarianism. But, in a manner not dissimilar to what President Kennedy preached regarding combating communism in the early 1960s, to make this seductive ideology even less appealing in the short run, democratic governments must show that democracy provides its citizens with both material and political benefits. This will not be easy work, but Washington must continue to be a partner in this process.

Russell Crandall is a professor at Davidson College. His upcoming book is Gunboat Democracy? U.S. Interventions in the Dominican Republic, Grenada, and Panama (2006). In 2004 and 2005, supported by the Council on Foreign Relations, he served as director for the Western Hemisphere at the National Security Council. He would like to thank Rebecca Stewart for her assistance with this article.