External Actors in Democratization: Lessons from FES

A look back on Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung's democratization work in five case studies 

Prof. Sarah Bush's and Julian D. Melendi's study is the first American academic analysis of the foundation's work. There is hardly any English-language literature on the role of German foundations in democracy promotion, and the few existing analyses are almost all by German scholars. It is therefore important, especially in these difficult times, that this study marks the beginning of a transatlantic exchange on concepts and challenges in democracy promotion.

Bush and Melendi draw out lessons from the academic literature on the conditions under which democracy assistance is most effective, considering factors such as the international environment and the characteristics of external actors, democracy assistance itself, and target countries. Their study explores the role of FES in five countries: Peru, Portugal, Serbia, South Africa, and Tunisia. 

The case studies highlight how the FES distinguishes itself within the area of international democracy promotion by its bottom-up approach, long-term engagement, and flexibility. While they share many features with other organizations, such as supporting civil society groups, promoting civic education, and conducting political party trainings, FES programs are unique vis-à-vis those of other organizations in democracy promotion in how they are grounded in social democratic values, rooted in long-term presence and partnerships, and more likely to take place in closed environments.

During the Carnation Revolution in Portugal, FES provided direct support to trade unions, financed trade union consultants, and aided Portugal in the development of communication and media institutions.

In South Africa, FES furthered and aided the ANC while it was in exile in the 1970s and 1980s, and directed its efforts towards improving the ANCs reputation in the West.

In Serbia, FES supported the student founded organisation Otpor and pro-democracy movements through educational programmes and practical and material support.

In Peru throughout the 1970s, FES collaborated with the Alianza Popular Revolucionaria Americana (APRA), the social democratic party of Peru, and continues to this day to support union and informal workers.

FES also has a rich history of supporting Tunisian civil society, and to this day, if within a restricted space after the country’s turn to autocracy, FES remains able to operate in the country and conduct activities with its partners.

Looking towards the future of democracy promotion, what do these results tell us? In today’s political climate in many countries, democracy promoting organizations like the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung are increasingly required to operate within tightening constrictions. ‘Foreign agents laws’ like those in Georgia, Hungary and Russia target them specifically, attempting to slowly erode the grounds of public support and legitimacy on which they rely for their work. Prof. Bush and Dr. Melendi’s extensive analysis of the work of Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung showcases the importance of democracy promoting organizations to remain both tenacious in the pursuit of their mandate, and pragmatic around the constrictions they face on the ground. 

Read the full study here.

The study was presented at Brussels Democracy Dialogue: How to transition to sustainable democracies? on 20 November 2024,