ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces the challenge facing international democracy assistance in its endeavours to support political parties' contribution to democratisation, given the constraints and opportunities posed by globalisation. It explores what globalisation means for the challenge of establishing democratically effective parties and party systems in new democracies, distinguishing potentially positive and negative effects. In respect of civic education, there may be opportunities for constructive involvement by democratic assistance in activities as specialised as the redesign of school curricula or devising regulatory frameworks for public service broadcasting. 'Choiceless democracy' runs seamlessly into the belief that globalisation's economic manifestations are disempowering particularly for the most vulnerable sections of society: the very poor, disadvantaged minorities and women. Transterritorial social movements and civic action groups could gain from enlisting the support of political parties on a national basis, injecting energy and ideas along the way. The structure of global civil society almost inevitably reflects the deep inequalities found in the global political economy.
