Democracy and Civil Society in a Global Era addresses challenges to the strengthening of active citizenship. In this highly-structured work, the themes presented are linked to fostering a culture of peace and non-violence, the lessening of fear and insecurity in political, economic, social, and cultural terms inherently detached from the conceptualization of political delineations and physical boundaries, and the ability to live dignified lives. The various regions that are represented in the case studies include: the Indian sub-continent, Malaysia, Indonesia, Turkey, Iran, China, the Middle East, Nigeria and the EU. The commonality and universality of the topics allows readers from any region of the world to relate to them. This book presents a dynamic combination of theory and field research, and is an iconoclastic tour-de-force of studies in democracy. Policy makers, think tanks and development practitioners may be particularly be interested in this book because it is about action rather than mere ideas and processes. It demonstrates how social movements can introduce and strengthen equality, inclusion, accountability, and the free flow of information. These elements, in turn, can contribute to the acculturation of freedom and social justice, in the developed world just as much as in the developing world.

Part 1: Democracy 1. Constitutional Democracy for Divided Societies Munafrizal Manan 2. Democracy Promotion as a Security Strategy: The Case of the European Union Ioannis A. Stivachtis 3. The EU's Democracy Promotion in its "Neighborhood": Renegotiating the post-Arab Spring Framework Manasi Singh 4. States of Depoliticization: The Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Political Economy of Discretion Sorin Mitrea 5. The Public Sphere and Practice of Democracy in Nigeria: The Context and Contribution of the Nigerian Diaspora Kudus Oluwatoyin Adebayo and Emeka Thaddues Njoku 6. Immigration and Democratic States' Borders: A Normative Map of Migration Theories Georgiana Turculet 7. Managing Ethnic Diversity: The Pakistani Experience Muhammad Mushtaq 8. An Abuse of Culture: North Korean Settlers, Multiculturalism, and Liberal Democracy Minkyu Sung 9. Dictators, Trade, and Development: The Mediterranean MENA Development Model and Euro-Mediterranean Economic Relations Eugenio Dacrema 10. Regional Security and Democratic Transitions: An Alternate Perspective Barbara Buraczynska 11. Democracy and State Constitutionalism: The Quest for "Good Governance" in Bangladesh Sayed Javed Ahmad & Scott Nicholas Romaniuk Part 2: Civil Society 12. Taking Steps towards an Understanding of "Civil Society with Chinese Characteristics": An Exploration through the Eyes of Chinese Faith-based Organizations Dr. Caroline Fielder 13. Redrawing Boundaries: Neoliberal Governmentality and the Politics of Active Citizenship Abhilash Babu 14. Public Corruption and Civic Disclosure: Natural Resources and Indonesia Mark S. Williams 15. The United Nations and Post-conflict Zones: Policy Failure in the Afghanistan New Beginnings Programme Sarah Shoker 16. Global Civil Society and UN Anti-Trafficking Agreements Marguerite Marlin 17. When Interests Collide: J. H. Merryman's "The Public Interests in Cultural Property" and the Sistine Chapel Joshua K. Wasylciw 18. ASEAN: The Intersection of Democracy, Civil Society, and Human Rights Benoît Masset