International development work has over the past ten years expanded to include 'democracy-building', especially in the countries of Eastern Europe. But development is not funded, carried out or evaluated in a vacuum, and this democracy work is shaped by the dominant neo-liberal view. I examine current democracy-building activities in Serbia, which are based on this philosophy, and introduce an alternative, rights-based, empowerment position.
The neo-liberal arguments revolve on the dominant paradigm of efficiency, and can therefore be deceptively alluring. Efficiency is valued in our society. Technology, trade and market-led democracy are accepted as viable development strategies.
A rights-based philosophy examines who is driving the development vehicle, and how their leading role affects sustainability of projects, dependency creation, dignity of peoples and issues of control and consumption.