Democracy Support and Development Aid: Getting Convergence Right

While largely agreeing with Thomas Carothers' article, "Democracy Support and Development Aid: The Elusive Synthesis," the evolving relationship between the democracy and development communities should be viewed in terms of increased complementarity, rather than integration. To further this evolution, both communities should retire outdated stereotypes, increase political economy approaches and continue to learn from each other. To advance more mutually reinforcing economic and democratic development assistance, aid providers should also strive to ensure that their programs "do no democratic harm" and that "country ownership" does not become government or ruling party ownership, as may be the case in countries with significant democratic deficits.