The first image reversed: American foreign policy, democratization, and gender politics in transitional states (Estonia, Moldova)

My research fords that US policy makers impact the domestic policy of states in democratic transition, not only through direct influence, but through funding those non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that are involved in building civil society. Using comparative case study methods, I examine US funded women's NGOs in Estonia and Moldova to determine the impact of this funding on how these women perceive their role in the state and in their respective societies, and further, how these changed perceptions affect domestic politics within those states. The research also evaluates the intentions of US policy makers in creating these types of programs, using in-depth interviews and analysis of primary sources. The research finds that US foreign policy affects civil society in transitional states by determining the language of civil society, the goals of NGOs and their programs, and shapes the terms of civil society debates.; In terms of International Relations theory, this work fills a gap in the studies of democratization that neglect the importance of individual security, but it does so with a feminist understanding of what constitutes security and participation in civil society. This project also questions common assumptions regarding the nature of security, democracy as a palliative for global conflict, the place of the individual with respect to resolving these conflicts, and the position of women within this context.