Review: The Despot’s Accomplice by Brian Klaus
From Azerbaijan to Zimbabwe, the author cross-crosses the planet discussing democracy and the West’s generally well-intentioned, often ham-fisted attempts to promote it. Indeed he’s not at all afraid to point out where economic pragmatism causes the West to support regimes (e.g. Saudi Arabia) totally at odds with democracy.
The examples are diverse and very contemporary (published 2016) and extremely readable, which was a relief when dipping into a subject I don’t usually address.
The book offers 10 recipes for improving the promotion of democracy ranging from a few easy ones to some (e.g. golden parachutes for retiring despots) that are morally difficult to stomach but exceedingly well defended. The author is clearly both a moral philosopher and a pragmatist.
The anecdote about Burkino Faso (recipe 10) alone is worth the book.
I learned so much. I anticipate that members of the Asynchronists will fight for their turn to read this :-).
Asynchronists 