"Neighborhood Effects" of Democratization in Europe

External factors have received relatively little attention in the broad democratization literature. This essay examines specific ”neighborhood” effects ill the transitions to democracy ill three phases ill Europe concerning, first, Southern Europe, then Central and Eastern Europe, and, finally, the more recent ”color” revolutions. It distinguishes between immediate neighborhood and ”contagion” effects, both on the general population and elite levels, overall European Union attractiveness and specific EU support, and the more general international ”climate.” Some neighborhood effects may be positive ill supporting democratic transitions and consolidation, whereas others may be negative, as, for example, was the case with regard to Russia during the ”Orange Revolution” in Ukraine. It can be shown that distinct patterns of such factors existed during the various phases of these European transitions. In conclusion, some general lessons are drawn from this analysis.