The Theory of Transnational Democracy: A Closed Chapter?

This article introduces the recent debate on the theory of transnational democracy. The theory of democracy has developed within the confines of national states. However, as a corollary to the processes of globalisation the "natural" anchor of democracy in the nation state has been shaken. The theory of transnational democracy has developed as a response to the perceived need to rethink democracy in order to make it applicable outside the nation state. The article describes the development of the theory of transnational democracy and points out four distinctive positions that took shape within this field during the 1990's. The overview is followed by a review of the critical voices that attacked the idea of transnational democracy on several grounds. The paper discusses in turn the problems of both the supporters and the critics of transnational democracy. A debate on the possibilities of the democratization of the EU follows. The article concludes by the critical assessment of the future of transnational democracy in the world after 11th September 2001. The article claims that the future of "global democracy" looks rather bleak; however, there still remains some room for less ambitious "democracy projects" in the existing international organizations.