This report, drafted by DRI’s Executive Director, argues that the EU should not adopt its own definition of democracy as a basis for its external relations. Instead, the EU should rely on an existing definition of democracy adopted by the UN General Assembly with no opposition and few abstentions. That definition can be underpinned by many other sources of international law. By working with internationally agreed definitions and obligations the EU would support a rule-based international order and avoid accusations of unilaterally imposing a notion of democracy abroad.
Download the report below.
