ABSTRACT
The chapter examines that the approach of external donors to democracy promotion in the Balkans usually falls rather far short of what is needed in order to be able to contribute to the consolidation of democracy in the region. Promoting democracy moved towards being a core element in US foreign policy from the early years of the Reagan presidency in the 1980s. Civil society mobilisation in Bulgaria and Albania at different stages in their protracted transition processes was seen as having potential to strengthen fragile democratic processes compared to orthodox political party developments. Capturing the state and diverting its resources to a narrow retinue of supporters and business allies appeared to transcend the political spectrum. Western parties and others seeking to strengthen the parties' democratic capacity often failed to make much impact in such circumstances. Achieving regime change was the impetus behind the concentrated assistance given to Serbia's coalition of 18 opposition parties known as the Democratic Opposition of Serbia.
