The Process of Democratisation
Democracy is a form of government that promotes the participation and rights of citizens. It allows people to vote for who makes decisions on their behalf, and to listen to the arguments from opposing sides before making a decision. It also provides a fair and independent legal system to resolve disputes, and ensures that everyone is treated equally, with respect and dignity. Democracy requires compromise, good governance and an active citizenry. It cannot be imposed by outsiders – it is something that has to grow organically in a society, with the support of all its citizens.
The process by which a country becomes more democratic is known as Democratisation. In theory, a society that is not democratic should become more so, with the ultimate goal being a fully fledged liberal democracy, with freedom of speech, association and movement, as well as equal opportunity to pursue happiness through work and leisure activities. The opposite of democratisation is autocratization, where power is concentrated in the hands of one individual or group. Despite the vast differences in cultures, history, geography and politics of countries throughout the world, since 1900, more states have become democratic than those that have become increasingly authoritarian. This trend continues today, with the majority of states qualifying as democracies.
Various theories have been put forward as to why this is the case. The most commonly accepted explanation is that democratisation occurs as a result of the pressures created by industrialization, which leads to the development of free markets and increased economic wealth. This increase in wealth gives individuals more choice over how to spend their money and their votes, which can lead to a demand for democracy. The emergence of a middle class may also help to bring about democratisation, as it is able to demand higher standards of service from politicians and companies.
Another popular theory is that democratisation is driven by the desire for legitimacy among citizens. This can be achieved through a combination of effective performance, usually measured in terms of economic development, as well as a willingness to adopt Western institutions. This can be seen in the growth of democracy in Europe and North America, where democratic regimes have lasted longer than their counterparts in autocratic societies. However, critics of this theory argue that the emergence of a democracy does not necessarily depend on economic performance. It can also be brought about by other factors, such as a shift in culture or beliefs.
Another argument is that democratisation can be facilitated by the promotion of civic engagement, such as volunteering, which can create a sense of responsibility for local issues and encourage democracy within a society. Education is also often credited with promoting democracy, as educated citizens are better equipped to understand political issues and more likely to demand inclusion in public affairs as well as accountability from their governments. This is particularly true in richer countries, but has also been found to be the case in less developed countries.
Democracy is a form of government that promotes the participation and rights of citizens. It allows people to vote for who makes decisions on their behalf, and to listen to the arguments from opposing sides before making a decision. It also provides a fair and independent legal system to resolve disputes, and ensures that everyone is treated equally, with respect and dignity. Democracy requires compromise, good governance and an active citizenry. It cannot be imposed by outsiders – it is something that has to grow organically in a society, with the support of all its citizens. The process by which a country becomes more democratic is known as Democratisation. In theory, a society that is not democratic should become more so, with the ultimate goal being a fully fledged liberal democracy, with freedom of speech, association and movement, as well as equal opportunity to pursue happiness through work and leisure activities. The opposite of democratisation is autocratization, where power is concentrated in the hands of one individual or group. Despite the vast differences in cultures, history, geography and politics of countries throughout the world, since 1900, more states have become democratic than those that have become increasingly authoritarian. This trend continues today, with the majority of states qualifying as democracies. Various theories have been put forward as to why this is the case. The most commonly accepted explanation is that democratisation occurs as a result of the pressures created by industrialization, which leads to the development of free markets and increased economic wealth. This increase in wealth gives individuals more choice over how to spend their money and their votes, which can lead to a demand for democracy. The emergence of a middle class may also help to bring about democratisation, as it is able to demand higher standards of service from politicians and companies. Another popular theory is that democratisation is driven by the desire for legitimacy among citizens. This can be achieved through a combination of effective performance, usually measured in terms of economic development, as well as a willingness to adopt Western institutions. This can be seen in the growth of democracy in Europe and North America, where democratic regimes have lasted longer than their counterparts in autocratic societies. However, critics of this theory argue that the emergence of a democracy does not necessarily depend on economic performance. It can also be brought about by other factors, such as a shift in culture or beliefs. Another argument is that democratisation can be facilitated by the promotion of civic engagement, such as volunteering, which can create a sense of responsibility for local issues and encourage democracy within a society. Education is also often credited with promoting democracy, as educated citizens are better equipped to understand political issues and more likely to demand inclusion in public affairs as well as accountability from their governments. This is particularly true in richer countries, but has also been found to be the case in less developed countries.