We promote democracy around the world because this form of government is far more likely to prevent conflict:

• accountable and representative governments are far less likely to resolve disputes by armed conflict
• resources are more likely to be fairly managed in society – this reduces potential for conflict
• human rights and are better respected in democracies – this is critical to preventing conflict
• elected governments better represent society, including women, the poor, and minorities
• maintaining peace is in the interest of representative governments
• citizens have the right to protest and criticise a government without the risk of state punishment
• principles of free-speech and independent media are better protected.

122 of the world's 194 countries are either electoral democracies or moving towards democracy (2007).

How are we promoting democracy?

We work with and support a range of UK, international, government and non-government partners to promote democracy around the world:

• Department for International Development (Dfid)
• United Nations
• The Commonwealth
• Council of Europe
• Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
• EU partners - European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR)
• Westminster Foundation for Democracy - we help fund this independent public body.

With these partners we:

• support countries that wants to adopt democracy and effective representation
• promote better political institutions, electoral processes, parliaments, civil society, media and political parties
• observe international elections.