The nature and process of developing democratic accountability in incipient and emerging global associations and organizations will be the focus of this workshop. We will go beyond the analysis of democracy as something applicable only to national political processes, institutions, and practices. More specifically, we will examine the structure and viability of constitutional practices entailed in the making of public policy decisions.

The workshop will examine the globalization of trade unions, political parties and movements, private associations, and public interest groups as they address and are linked to global issues. Of particular interest will be such public decision bodies as the European Union, the Council of Europe, the World Trade Organization, and many UN organizations as they impact countries and localities where little or no democratic accountability exists. The term "democratic deficit" has been used to apply to the democratic gap between global change and local interests. How can this gap be closed?

The Workshop continues what was begun at the last Annual Meeting of ISA in Los Angeles. The papers presented there as well those generated by this Workshop will provide texts for eventual publication. More information about this workshop and the papers presented there can be found at the end of the original plan. This second workshop will also provide guidelines for development of the long-term Democatization and Globalization project.