Sarah Bush

Argues that an American endorsement of women in politics has no average effect on popular support for women's representation and that domestic patterns of support and opposition to autocrats determine citizens' receptivity to policy endorsements, with policy endorsements of foreign-supported reforms polarizing public opinion.

Focuses on the survival instincts of the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that design and implement democracy assistance. Argues that NGOs seek out tamer types of aid, especially as they become more professional. Provides new understanding of foreign influence and moral actors in world politics, with policy implications for democracy in the Middle East.

Shows that in the countries where aid officials worry most about ensuring that democracy aid supports other U.S. policy objectives - namely, countries that are important for U.S. foreign policy - they will fund American NGOs relatively more.

Explores recent shifts in the nature of U.S. government-funded democracy assistance programs that have made them less likely to confront autocratic governments and more focused on measurable outputs, and gives recommendations on how to avoid these pitfalls and engender more positive outcomes.

Examines how and why the United States and other developed countries turned to democracy promotion at the end of the Cold War and what the impact of doing so has been on the conduct of politics in developing countries across the world.

Shows that developing countries adopt quotas requiring women’s representing in politics in response to international pressure. Suggests that democracy promotion can succeed at changing countries’ political institutions, but raises questions about whether quotas can ultimately improve women’s substantive representation when they lack domestic support.