The democracy-promotion toolbox has been filled for more than

two decades with various standard assistance programs, including technical

support for reforming government agencies; training for lawyers, journalists,

political party leaders, and trade unionists; direct financial aid for civil society

organizations; and exchanges and scholarships for students. Today, the

U.S. government, particularly the U.S. Agency for International Development

(USAID) and an army of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) often

funded by USAID, the National Endowment of Democracy, or the Asia

and Eurasia Foundations, continue to use such nonmilitary methods to promote

democracy in dozens of countries around the world.