Democratisation
Democracy is a political system where power is transferred in a peaceful fashion from the people to the rulers. The term Democratisation refers to the transition from authoritarian or autocratic regimes to democratic political systems. It is a dynamic process and no country is born a democracy. Instead, democracy is a process of continuous maturation that requires the participation of citizens and civil society organisations. It is a long and often violent process with many ups and downs, but it ultimately leads to a democratic society.
One of the central debates in democratization studies is what conditions facilitate the emergence of democratic societies. Theorists have identified many factors, including economic and social conditions, individual agents and their choices, international influences, and historical and cultural forces.
While there are many theories about democratization, most agree that it is a process, not a result. While a country may have an initial democratic regime, it takes time to establish the institutions and culture of a democracy. This is why most scholars define democratization as the gradual emergence of the political and social conditions that make democratic governance feasible.
The basic condition is an educated and active citizenry with the capacity to challenge authority, such as through protest and elections. This active citizenship is essential for the survival of a democracy and its most important contribution is its ability to hold politicians accountable. In addition, a democratic state needs the financial resources to provide public services and develop a productive economy. This is why a democracy cannot thrive in a state that is poor, war-torn, or isolated.
In a society with the potential for democratic development, it must have an active and independent media. The media should be free to report on all topics, including government corruption, repressive regimes, and the lack of opportunity for the poor. A free press is also an indispensable precondition for a democracy, as it can act as the watchdog of the government and the protector of citizens’ rights.
There are two broad trends that have revitalized explanations emphasizing the conditions that facilitate democratization. First, the successful democratic transitions in Latin America and East Asia renewed interest in modernization theory. Second, the problems of consolidation faced by many third-wave democracies prompted an increase in attention to structural explanations.
One criticism of the structural approach is that it fails to account for short-term political conjunctures. In particular, it does not address the reasons that elites choose to establish democratic institutions and how these incentives shape negotiations.
Another key criticism is that it overlooks the role of civil society organisations in the process of democratization. These organizations can play a critical role in pressureing authoritarian governments to liberalize, and in providing legitimacy to the demands of the democratic opposition. Furthermore, civil society can help to build trust and tolerance, the key ingredients in stable democracy. This is especially crucial in countries that have suffered from intractable conflict. For example, in Bosnia and Rwanda, civic engagement is a vital part of the peace-building process.
Democracy is a political system where power is transferred in a peaceful fashion from the people to the rulers. The term Democratisation refers to the transition from authoritarian or autocratic regimes to democratic political systems. It is a dynamic process and no country is born a democracy. Instead, democracy is a process of continuous maturation that requires the participation of citizens and civil society organisations. It is a long and often violent process with many ups and downs, but it ultimately leads to a democratic society. One of the central debates in democratization studies is what conditions facilitate the emergence of democratic societies. Theorists have identified many factors, including economic and social conditions, individual agents and their choices, international influences, and historical and cultural forces. While there are many theories about democratization, most agree that it is a process, not a result. While a country may have an initial democratic regime, it takes time to establish the institutions and culture of a democracy. This is why most scholars define democratization as the gradual emergence of the political and social conditions that make democratic governance feasible. The basic condition is an educated and active citizenry with the capacity to challenge authority, such as through protest and elections. This active citizenship is essential for the survival of a democracy and its most important contribution is its ability to hold politicians accountable. In addition, a democratic state needs the financial resources to provide public services and develop a productive economy. This is why a democracy cannot thrive in a state that is poor, war-torn, or isolated. In a society with the potential for democratic development, it must have an active and independent media. The media should be free to report on all topics, including government corruption, repressive regimes, and the lack of opportunity for the poor. A free press is also an indispensable precondition for a democracy, as it can act as the watchdog of the government and the protector of citizens’ rights. There are two broad trends that have revitalized explanations emphasizing the conditions that facilitate democratization. First, the successful democratic transitions in Latin America and East Asia renewed interest in modernization theory. Second, the problems of consolidation faced by many third-wave democracies prompted an increase in attention to structural explanations. One criticism of the structural approach is that it fails to account for short-term political conjunctures. In particular, it does not address the reasons that elites choose to establish democratic institutions and how these incentives shape negotiations. Another key criticism is that it overlooks the role of civil society organisations in the process of democratization. These organizations can play a critical role in pressureing authoritarian governments to liberalize, and in providing legitimacy to the demands of the democratic opposition. Furthermore, civil society can help to build trust and tolerance, the key ingredients in stable democracy. This is especially crucial in countries that have suffered from intractable conflict. For example, in Bosnia and Rwanda, civic engagement is a vital part of the peace-building process.