DEMOCRACY AS AN EMPTY SIGNIFIER: The promotion of democracy in the u.s. foreign policy (2001-2008)

Using Ernesto Laclau1s discourse theory, the purpose of this article is to analyze the role of the promotion of democracy in the U.S. foreign policy during George W. Bush’s administration (2001-2008). The hypothesis explored in the article is that the notion of liberal democracy, as presented in the documents of the Ameri- can foreign policy of the period, can be understood as an empty signifier, given that it condenses in itself a broad range of meanings: it is seen not only as the best and fairest political and economic system, but also as the one that, today, enables the countries to perform essential state tasks in a more efficient fashion. As a consequence, this construction of meaning has contributed to justify and naturalize controversial U.S. foreign policy actions, such as military interventions and regime changes in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Democracy; U.S. Foreign Policy; Empty Signifier; Discourse Theory; Ernesto Laclau