This book explores the frameworks underlying different notions of democracy, and how these influence political decisions.

Introduction: The Conceptual Politics of Democracy Promotion Part 1: Orientations 1. On "Cultivating" Democracy: Enlivening the Imagery for Democracy Promotion 2. Conceptualizing Democratization and Democratizing Conceptualization: A Virtuous Circle 3. Liberalism and Democracy Promotion 4. The Past and Future of Social Democracy and the Consequences for Democracy Promotion 5. Democracy Promotion: Neoliberal vs. Social Democratic Telos 6. Misunderstanding the Maladies of Liberal Democracy Promotion Part 2: Cases 7. The Conceptual Politics of Democracy Promotion in Bolivia 8. Liberal Democracy Promotion and Civil Society Strengthening in Ghana 9. Concepts of Democracy among Donors and Recipients of Democracy Promotion: An Empirical Pilot Study 10. Arab Democratization and the De-imagining of Authoritarian Community: Beyond Orientalism & Occidentalism 11. The Conceptual Politics of Democracy in International Law 12. From 'Fortunate Vagueness' to 'Democratic Globalism': American Democracy Promotion as Imperialism. Conclusion: Reflections on a New Approach in a New Era of Democracy Promotion

Christopher Hobson is a Research Associate in the Peace and Security section, Institute for Sustainability and Peace, United Nations University.

Milja Kurki is a Lecturer in International Relations Theory in the International Politics Department at Aberystwyth University and the Principal Investigator of 'Political Economies of Democratisation' (European Research Council, 2008-2012).