Democratisation
Democratisation refers to the processes by which a country becomes more democratic. The process has numerous dimensions and is highly complicated, with multiple factors influencing whether the outcome is one of democracy or authoritarianism. It is generally agreed that democracy cannot be imposed from outside; instead, society must go through various stages of democratization before it can become truly democratic. These stages include civil society changes, procedural or working democracy, and substantive or representative democracy. Successfully achieving each of these levels is essential to the success and sustainability of a democratic regime.
Many different theories attempt to explain why some countries are able to achieve democracy and others struggle to do so. Among the most prominent explanations are those that focus on the conditions that facilitate democratic transition and consolidation. In particular, there are several factors that are widely credited with making it more feasible for a country to democratize: economic development, the existence of a middle class, education, and international pressures.
Modernization theory holds that rapid industrialization promotes democratization by creating an educated and entrepreneurial middle class that has the interest and capacity to demand greater influence over governance issues from even the most repressive governments. As a result, this class will eventually overwhelm even the most entrenched repressive regimes and force them to reform.
Education is also a key factor in democratization because it makes citizens more aware of political issues and gives them the tools to participate in public affairs and hold their leaders accountable. This is particularly true in poorer countries, where education tends to be more widespread than in richer ones. Furthermore, education can foster a culture that is more supportive of democracy by promoting values such as tolerance for diversity and the belief in the mutually beneficial nature of human relationships.
Another important consideration is the existence of a middle class, which is seen as a stabilizing force that guards against democratic backsliding and protects individuals from the worst excesses of democracy. Historically, the presence of a large and well-educated middle class has been a prerequisite for successful democratic transformations in countries as diverse as Britain, South Korea, and Latin America.
International pressures are seen as an important catalyst in democratization because they can help to counter the power of corrupt elites and provide incentives for popular movements to push for democratic reforms. As an example, the OECD has made it a condition for membership that members contribute the equivalent of 0.7 percent of their GDP to development assistance.
Finally, there is the phenomenon of democratic peace, which holds that democracies do not fight each other, with a few exceptions in the 19th century. It is believed that this trend, which has continued to this day, stems from the fact that the majority of citizens in most established democracies see a clear benefit in cooperating and compromise with each other rather than competing against each other. However, this does not preclude the possibility of democracies engaging in conflict with non-democratic regimes or each other.
Democratisation refers to the processes by which a country becomes more democratic. The process has numerous dimensions and is highly complicated, with multiple factors influencing whether the outcome is one of democracy or authoritarianism. It is generally agreed that democracy cannot be imposed from outside; instead, society must go through various stages of democratization before it can become truly democratic. These stages include civil society changes, procedural or working democracy, and substantive or representative democracy. Successfully achieving each of these levels is essential to the success and sustainability of a democratic regime. Many different theories attempt to explain why some countries are able to achieve democracy and others struggle to do so. Among the most prominent explanations are those that focus on the conditions that facilitate democratic transition and consolidation. In particular, there are several factors that are widely credited with making it more feasible for a country to democratize: economic development, the existence of a middle class, education, and international pressures. Modernization theory holds that rapid industrialization promotes democratization by creating an educated and entrepreneurial middle class that has the interest and capacity to demand greater influence over governance issues from even the most repressive governments. As a result, this class will eventually overwhelm even the most entrenched repressive regimes and force them to reform. Education is also a key factor in democratization because it makes citizens more aware of political issues and gives them the tools to participate in public affairs and hold their leaders accountable. This is particularly true in poorer countries, where education tends to be more widespread than in richer ones. Furthermore, education can foster a culture that is more supportive of democracy by promoting values such as tolerance for diversity and the belief in the mutually beneficial nature of human relationships. Another important consideration is the existence of a middle class, which is seen as a stabilizing force that guards against democratic backsliding and protects individuals from the worst excesses of democracy. Historically, the presence of a large and well-educated middle class has been a prerequisite for successful democratic transformations in countries as diverse as Britain, South Korea, and Latin America. International pressures are seen as an important catalyst in democratization because they can help to counter the power of corrupt elites and provide incentives for popular movements to push for democratic reforms. As an example, the OECD has made it a condition for membership that members contribute the equivalent of 0.7 percent of their GDP to development assistance. Finally, there is the phenomenon of democratic peace, which holds that democracies do not fight each other, with a few exceptions in the 19th century. It is believed that this trend, which has continued to this day, stems from the fact that the majority of citizens in most established democracies see a clear benefit in cooperating and compromise with each other rather than competing against each other. However, this does not preclude the possibility of democracies engaging in conflict with non-democratic regimes or each other.