Democratisation
Democracy is a political system that allows for the transfer of power from one person or party to another without the upheaval and bloodshed that characterizes other types of regime. It is a form of government that emphasizes the equality and rights of all citizens, which are guaranteed in the Constitution or enshrined in international treaties. It is a form of government that promotes participation by citizens in the decisions of their country, based on laws and elections.
Democratisation refers to the transition from authoritarianism, or partial democracy, to a substantive, fully functional democracy. This process has never been linear, smooth or free of hazards, as is illustrated by the many ups and downs of countries that have made the journey to full democracy from dictatorships and autocracies.
The question of how and when a country reaches full democracy has inspired many academic theories and debates. Some scholars argue that there are conditions that must be met before a country can be considered democratic, including the presence of a large middle class with a stake in political decision making and the willingness to engage in compromise and competition. Others argue that the transition to a democracy must be gradual and that the best way to foster a democratic process is to promote economic development, education and civil society, which creates a space for politics and the possibility of democratic change.
While there is no consensus on what the essential conditions are for a country to become democratic, most experts agree that economic development is important. Many studies show that the level of democracy in a country is directly related to the level of economic development, as well as the degree to which citizens are educated and have a sense of civic responsibility. Educated citizens are better equipped to understand and participate in the political process, which makes them more likely to demand both inclusion and accountability from the authorities.
Many analysts also believe that the experience of capitalist economies encourages a democratic transition, as private enterprise generates a business class that has interests separate from those of the state and the resources to organize independently of the government and hold it accountable for its actions. The existence of such a class is often cited as a major factor in the successful democratic transitions of countries as diverse as Britain, Chile, South Korea and Latin America.
Other scholars take a more pragmatic view, arguing that democracy is a choice of elites and that the choice will be made if it benefits them in the long run. This approach is often criticized for failing to take into account the motivations of elites and the factors that shape their choices.
Still other scholars take a more structural approach, arguing that democratization is a result of globalization and international factors, such as the decline of the military threat, that make it easier for authoritarian governments to lose their legitimacy. This approach is often criticized for neglecting the role of domestic factors, such as the strength and stability of civil society organizations and the ability of political parties to build coalitions across ideological divides.
Democracy is a political system that allows for the transfer of power from one person or party to another without the upheaval and bloodshed that characterizes other types of regime. It is a form of government that emphasizes the equality and rights of all citizens, which are guaranteed in the Constitution or enshrined in international treaties. It is a form of government that promotes participation by citizens in the decisions of their country, based on laws and elections. Democratisation refers to the transition from authoritarianism, or partial democracy, to a substantive, fully functional democracy. This process has never been linear, smooth or free of hazards, as is illustrated by the many ups and downs of countries that have made the journey to full democracy from dictatorships and autocracies. The question of how and when a country reaches full democracy has inspired many academic theories and debates. Some scholars argue that there are conditions that must be met before a country can be considered democratic, including the presence of a large middle class with a stake in political decision making and the willingness to engage in compromise and competition. Others argue that the transition to a democracy must be gradual and that the best way to foster a democratic process is to promote economic development, education and civil society, which creates a space for politics and the possibility of democratic change. While there is no consensus on what the essential conditions are for a country to become democratic, most experts agree that economic development is important. Many studies show that the level of democracy in a country is directly related to the level of economic development, as well as the degree to which citizens are educated and have a sense of civic responsibility. Educated citizens are better equipped to understand and participate in the political process, which makes them more likely to demand both inclusion and accountability from the authorities. Many analysts also believe that the experience of capitalist economies encourages a democratic transition, as private enterprise generates a business class that has interests separate from those of the state and the resources to organize independently of the government and hold it accountable for its actions. The existence of such a class is often cited as a major factor in the successful democratic transitions of countries as diverse as Britain, Chile, South Korea and Latin America. Other scholars take a more pragmatic view, arguing that democracy is a choice of elites and that the choice will be made if it benefits them in the long run. This approach is often criticized for failing to take into account the motivations of elites and the factors that shape their choices. Still other scholars take a more structural approach, arguing that democratization is a result of globalization and international factors, such as the decline of the military threat, that make it easier for authoritarian governments to lose their legitimacy. This approach is often criticized for neglecting the role of domestic factors, such as the strength and stability of civil society organizations and the ability of political parties to build coalitions across ideological divides.