This paper begins with a comparative regional survey of the current status of democracy and development in Africa, Latin America, and South Asia. Each region shares a legacy of colonial domination by European powers. The comparative study uses criteria from the basic needs approach. Critical social thought and future visions about democracy and development in each region are then reviewed as insights for education. Current evidence of the roles that education plays in helping or hindering achievement of these goals are then analyzed. Current ideas and efforts for reconstruction of education to strengthen social democracy and human development are examined. (EH)