The democratization that we have seen in the Middle East and North Africa is very different from what was experienced by the former Soviet states, said Thomas Carothers, founder and director of the Democracy and Rule of Law Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. According to Carothers, the former Soviet states had very different regimes. The societies also differed in their level of education, their religious fervor and equality — the Soviet system had, for the most part, dissolved major class differences.

Carothers explained that the Arab Spring protests that began with the self-immolation of a fruit vendor in Tunisia were in part due to three powerful forces coming together: the fact that people want to have a say in the way they are governed; the increased interconnection we have seen throughout the world; and greater technology.

The Arab Spring has sparked a new dynamic in democracy support where the United States and Europe are no longer the only advisors.  Other countries, such as India, Brazil, South Africa and Indonesia, are providing assistance to the Egyptians.

While Carothers agreed with the common adage "elections do not equal democracy," he stated that elections are a crucial step toward democracy. He added that organizations such as IFES that support the implementation of credible elections are helping make democracy a reality for people around the world.

Carothers spoke during a luncheon that took place on December 6 for IFES' board of directors meeting and chief of party retreat, which brings together country directors and chiefs of party from IFES programs around the world to Washington for a week of exchange and strategizing.

At the end of the luncheon, IFES President and CEO Bill Sweeney and Chairman of the IFES Board Peter Kelly presented Carothers with a memento of a miniature ballot box made of glass.