Europe, the United States, and Middle Eastern Democracy: Complementarity or Competition?

This paper examines the apparent tensions and divergence in approach between the United States and the European Union in efforts to promote democratic reform in the Middle East. Since this issue rose to prominence in 2002, the two sides of the Atlantic have often been viewed as taking diametrically opposite views of the relative urgency of Arab democratization, and of how best to achieve progress toward that goal. Yet, in a thorough review of diplomacy, official development assistance, and democracy assistance funding and programs, this paper finds that the divergence is more apparent than real. The paper finds significant similarities in the two actors' strategies and in their mix of democracy promotion activities. Yet both the European Union and the United States find reasons to sustain rhetorical divergence, and an element of strategic competition also colors their respective policies. The paper concludes that -- even if unintentional -- policy convergence between Europe and the United States in promoting democratic reform in the Middle East is not only evident, but may improve further over time. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]