Creating a democracy is not an easy task. It requires many internal and external factors that could make or break a successful transition from a non-democratic regime to a democratic one. This essay explains the three main threats to democratic consolidation (international relations, elite commitment and the role of the military) that countries undergoing transition from a non-democratic to a democratic regime may face. This essay will also explain the argument as to why international relations are considered the greatest threat to democratic consolidation. International relationsInternational relations represent one of the three main threats to democratic consolidation in a democratizing country. According to Pinnell, if a new regime is not supported by neighboring or powerful states, then it may have to deal with the possibility of a legitimacy conflict, either directly from external neighboring/powerful states, through open conflict between two countries through military measures /cheap. means such as war, embargo, sanctions, etc... and/or indirectly by having neighboring/powerful external states support counter-revolutionary and anti-democratic rebels/political forces in an internal conflict intent on destroying any democratic consolidation of the new regime and reviving the old authoritarian regime.1 Elite commitment Elite commitment is another factor that determines whether democratic consolidation can create or destroy. Successful democratization requires that the old elite tolerate loss of power, in which case this might mean giving the old elite new positions of power at a much lower level, or at least having a comfortable way to step down.1 This might require a strong level of negotiations and compromises...... middle of document......New York, London: WW Norton, 2013), 169-170Pinnell, Sabrina. Lecture "Modern Nondemocratic Government", San Jose State University, San Jose, CA, February 18, 2014). Price, Claire. “Zimbabwe: diamonds are worth more than democracy”, Fair Observer, 31 July 2013 http://www.fairobserver.com/article/elections-zimbabwe-do-they-really-matterSalehi, Sarallah. “The “Forgotten” Arab Spring in Bahrain: The Paradox of Oil and Democracy,” The Politick Press, October 6, 2013 http://www.jhupolitik.org/?p=1912Saunders, Doug. “Polish Round Table Laid Out Course for Freedom,” The Globe and Mail, October 25, 2009 http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/round-table-laid-out- course-for-freedom/ article1337763 /Tynan, Deirdre. “Turkmenistan: Ashgabat plays key US/NATO support role in Afghanistan war,” Eurasianet.org, January 10, 2011 http://www.eurasianet.org/node/62683