Conflict Resolution and the Concept of Democratisation
Democratisation is the transition to a democratic political regime, including substantive political changes moving in a democratic direction. It is one of the most important concepts and trends in modern political science, and it has become increasingly important to conflict resolution practitioners. It is a key part of the concept known as the democratic peace, which states that democracies do not go to war with each other.
While there is agreement among scholars that democracy is a necessary condition for conflict resolution, there is less consensus about how a country becomes a democracy and about the criteria to use for determining whether a country has succeeded in achieving this goal. Most experts agree that a democratic society must be participatory and pluralist, with free and contestable elections, the separation of powers, and checks and balances. It should also be humane and equitable, based on mutual respect for the rights of all citizens. It should also offer opportunities for citizens to fulfil their potential and lead a life of dignity.
The process of democratisation is often difficult and arduous. It is not a linear process, and it can take many years for a country to reach the point where it can be considered democratic. A country that does not achieve democratisation is likely to experience intractable conflict and may even have to go through an extended period of violent instability.
Although there is no single explanation for the causes of democratisation, there is a general consensus that it is correlated with development and is more likely to occur where citizens have been educated. There is also a growing recognition that it may be more difficult in Muslim societies, and that the process is influenced by the interaction of social forces such as culture, religion, and economic competition.
Another aspect of the challenge of democratisation is that it requires a commitment to reform by all parties in a society, as well as the willingness of individuals to accept a greater degree of participation and freedom. This can be particularly difficult in situations where a country is experiencing ethnic or religious conflict.
A further obstacle to democratisation is the existence of entrenched traditions or ideologies that are resistant to change. These factors can undermine societal changes that are conducive to democratisation, or they can generate resistance and popular anger against a new form of government.
Despite these challenges, it is clear that progress towards democracy is taking place globally. As long as political regimes continue to recognise that they are vulnerable to the demands of the democratic process, and as people around the world gain a deeper understanding of the benefits of a democracy, it is likely that this trend will continue. Democratisation is an intrinsically global process, and the only way to guarantee its success is to ensure that all countries can participate in it.
Democratisation is the transition to a democratic political regime, including substantive political changes moving in a democratic direction. It is one of the most important concepts and trends in modern political science, and it has become increasingly important to conflict resolution practitioners. It is a key part of the concept known as the democratic peace, which states that democracies do not go to war with each other. While there is agreement among scholars that democracy is a necessary condition for conflict resolution, there is less consensus about how a country becomes a democracy and about the criteria to use for determining whether a country has succeeded in achieving this goal. Most experts agree that a democratic society must be participatory and pluralist, with free and contestable elections, the separation of powers, and checks and balances. It should also be humane and equitable, based on mutual respect for the rights of all citizens. It should also offer opportunities for citizens to fulfil their potential and lead a life of dignity. The process of democratisation is often difficult and arduous. It is not a linear process, and it can take many years for a country to reach the point where it can be considered democratic. A country that does not achieve democratisation is likely to experience intractable conflict and may even have to go through an extended period of violent instability. Although there is no single explanation for the causes of democratisation, there is a general consensus that it is correlated with development and is more likely to occur where citizens have been educated. There is also a growing recognition that it may be more difficult in Muslim societies, and that the process is influenced by the interaction of social forces such as culture, religion, and economic competition. Another aspect of the challenge of democratisation is that it requires a commitment to reform by all parties in a society, as well as the willingness of individuals to accept a greater degree of participation and freedom. This can be particularly difficult in situations where a country is experiencing ethnic or religious conflict. A further obstacle to democratisation is the existence of entrenched traditions or ideologies that are resistant to change. These factors can undermine societal changes that are conducive to democratisation, or they can generate resistance and popular anger against a new form of government. Despite these challenges, it is clear that progress towards democracy is taking place globally. As long as political regimes continue to recognise that they are vulnerable to the demands of the democratic process, and as people around the world gain a deeper understanding of the benefits of a democracy, it is likely that this trend will continue. Democratisation is an intrinsically global process, and the only way to guarantee its success is to ensure that all countries can participate in it.