The Organization of American States as the Advocate and Guardian of Democracy

An Insiders Critical Assessment of its Role in Promoting and Defending Democracy

By (author) Rubén M. Perina

Publication date:

25 September 2015

Length of book:

268 pages

Publisher

UPA

ISBN-13: 9780761866442

As democracy has become the preferred system of government in the hemisphere in the past thirty years or so, its promotion and defense have also become the cornerstone and raison d’être of the Organization of American States (OAS)—the central and principal inter-governmental institution in the Western Hemisphere. Perina’s book presents a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of its new role in promoting and defending democracy in the Americas from an insider’s perspective; examines how exactly it performs its role among its member states; points out the tensions, weaknesses and shortcomings that constrain its performance; and suggests ways of strengthening it. This unique perspective offers substantive information, insight, and theoretical and empirical analysis that provide readers with greater knowledge and understanding of the complex workings of the Organization. The book echoes the author’s belief in its usefulness, relevance and potential as the most important hemispheric multilateral organization for the promotion and defense of democracy and human rights.

Preface
Abbreviations
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Democracy In The Americas: The Struggle For Survival
Chapter 3: Cold War Challenges to Democracy and Early OAS Efforts to Defend It (1948–1985)
Chapter 4: The International Promotion of Democracy
Chapter 5: The New Diplomatic and Legal Instruments for the Collective Promotion and Defense of Democracy
Chapter 6: The Inter-American Democratic Charter
Chapter 7: Technical Assistance For Democracy Promotion: Theory and Practice
Chapter 8: Electoral Observation: Between Relevance and Interference
Chapter 9: The Survival of Democracy and OAS Relevance
Chapter 10: Institutional Tensions and Weaknesses
Chapter 11: The Challenging Hemispheric Horizon
Chapter 12: Suggestions for Revitalization
Bibliography

Argentine-born Perina brings 30 years of experience working at senior levels of the Organization of American States to this insider’s account of the institution’s many strengths, multiple triumphs, and evident weaknesses…. Perina concludes with a detailed list of recommendations for returning the OAS to its former glory while correcting its errors. With the retreat of authoritarian rule in important countries such as Argentina, the time may be right for Perina’s well-informed proposals for how to reinvigorate inter-American diplomacy.