Abstract

Democracy is now generally recognized as the form of government that is best able to facilitate decision making and resolve internal conflicts in a peaceful way, as well as to provide the conditions for social and economic development and the reduction of poverty. Similarly, the human rights of citizens can best be realized through the development of democratic institutions, procedures, and values. Cor van Beuningen argues that the advancement of democracy can thus be considered as not only an essential goal in its own right, but also linked to peace building, the consolidation of human rights and to growth and development.