Too often, democratic openings are the focus of policymakers. But these are but one manifestation of a larger democratization process that involves many other elements. This seems an obvious point, but it is one too often overlooked or ignored in policymaking circles where the urge to do something, driven by bureaucratic pressures, jettisons efforts to carefully assess a country’s context.

Democratic ideals are so interwoven with America’s sense of self that it is often hard for policymakers to fully grasp the challenges that most countries face in trying to democratize. Too often, they assume every country can and should democratize as soon as possible and that whatever unique features or problems it may have, a strong enough foundation exists just beneath the surface. Recent history suggests that it is more complicated than that. The United States does a disservice to the places it seeks to help when it does not customize its approach to context.

Dr. Seth D. Kaplan is a Professorial Lecturer in the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) at Johns Hopkins University, Senior Adviser for the Institute for Integrated Transitions (IFIT), and consultant to organizations such as the World Bank, USAID, State Department, OECD, and International Republican Institute.

Patrick W. Quirk is Senior Director for Strategy, Research, and the Center for Global Impact at the International Republican Institute, a Nonresident Senior Fellow in the Atlantic Council's Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, and an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University. Previously, he served on the U.S. Secretary of State’s Policy Planning Staff.

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