Bolton on Global Demcracy

My book with Nayef Samhat (advertized on the sidebar) argues that the increasing participation of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in world politics promotes global democracy. Empirically, we examine NGO and global civil society efforts within the World Bank, WTO, Global Environment Facility, etc.

Not everyone agrees with our position.

For example, consider this from John R. Bolton, then Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs. It is his "Statement to the UN Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in all its Aspects," July 9, 2001:

We do not support the promotion of international advocacy activity by international or non-governmental organizations, particularly when those political or policy views advocated are not consistent with the views of all member states. What individual governments do in this regard is for them to decide, but we do not regard the international governmental support of particular political viewpoints to be consistent with democratic principles.

Truly amazing guy, eh?

After clearing the Senate Foreign Relations Committee without a positive recommendation, the vote on Bolton's nomination as UN Ambassador in the full Senate is upcoming soon. Senator Voinovich of Ohio continues to oppose the nomination, and wrote a letter to his colleagues making that point.

Time is short.