12.07.2015 Views

From Poverty to Power Green, Oxfam 2008 - weman

From Poverty to Power Green, Oxfam 2008 - weman

From Poverty to Power Green, Oxfam 2008 - weman

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

2 POWER AND POLITICS I VOTE, THEREFORE I AMand ability <strong>to</strong> perform a useful democratic function rise or fall withtime, as weak party systems grow stronger and strong ones crumble.Given their key role in democracy, strengthening political parties is animportant step in linking citizens and states. Crucial issues includeinternal party democracy, transparency (for example, in the use offunds and election of leaders), and party and campaign financing –issues that are at least as pressing in the North as in the South.No political system is fixed: state and party systems are constantlyevolving, some becoming stronger and more accountable, othersfalling under the sway of au<strong>to</strong>crats or the spell of riches. Strengtheningdemocracy by demanding progress in political systems (and preventingbacksliding) is an essential task in the effort <strong>to</strong> build effective states,both for national citizens, and for those outsiders seeking <strong>to</strong> promotedevelopment and justice.85

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!