How Does Democracy Work?
Generally, the process of democratisation is thought of as having two phases: the transition and consolidation. In a transition, authoritarian regimes are overthrown and democratic rules are institutionalised. In a consolidation process, the same parties agree on the boundaries of the state and resolve conflicts through bargaining. However, reverse waves of democratisation indicate that the transition phase does not always lead to consolidation. This article will explain how transition and consolidation work in a country.
Development is essential for development, but democratisation itself does not promote this. Developing countries only achieve democracy when their middle classes are educated, with strong social equality. Moreover, democratisation encourages reforms that are not conducive to radical transformation. Johnson and Leftwich argue that democratisation leads to instability and chaos. An empirical study suggests that democracy increases political violence below a certain income level. However, there are still no definitive studies on the role of the middle class in development.
Despite these limitations, the history of democratisation shows that it can improve quality of life and promote development. However, the empirical link between development and democracy is weak, particularly since authoritarian regimes often pursue development before democratisation. It is therefore necessary to provide democratic channels for citizens to exert pressure on the elite. For this to work, a country must develop strong civil society, opposition parties, and decentralisation. And if democratisation is not enough, then another route should be pursued, which entails persuading the regime to promote development.
Besides the above-mentioned causes, democratisation also depends on the educational system in the country. Higher educational levels mean that citizens have more information on political issues and are more likely to participate in the democratic process. Furthermore, well-educated citizens hold values that are consistent with democracy. As a result, democratization needs to promote education, and citizens should be given freedom to evaluate different political ideas. These are the most important factors in a democracy.
Despite the varying definitions of democratisation, the experience of capitalism is a major contributing factor in promoting democratic processes. Free-market economies create pressure for political freedom and economic freedom. Private enterprise creates a class of citizens with separate interests and resources from the state. These individuals organize to push for responsive government. In contrast, absence of economic freedom reduces citizens’ incentives and the ability to hold government accountable. As a result, authoritarian regimes are more likely to develop.
The collapse of communism has inspired political scientists to reconsider comparative literature on democratisation. Much of the literature on the process of transitioning from authoritarianism to democratisation has focused on national level politics. However, the relationship between democratisation and federalism has largely been neglected. This study investigates the relationship between democratisation and federalism in Russia. Its main findings will provide useful lessons for studying democratisation in other countries.
Political democratisation has been beneficial in several ways. Most importantly, it has allowed the poorest citizens to participate in politics. Despite the lack of political competition, democratic societies produce higher education levels, lower crime rates, and lower unemployment rates than their less developed counterparts. In addition, democratic societies have created diverse social benefits and transfers for citizens. This is largely because they use political institutions and historical political compromise that are not available anywhere else. The development of democratic societies has increased public expectations of government responsibility.
Generally, the process of democratisation is thought of as having two phases: the transition and consolidation. In a transition, authoritarian regimes are overthrown and democratic rules are institutionalised. In a consolidation process, the same parties agree on the boundaries of the state and resolve conflicts through bargaining. However, reverse waves of democratisation indicate that the transition phase does not always lead to consolidation. This article will explain how transition and consolidation work in a country. Development is essential for development, but democratisation itself does not promote this. Developing countries only achieve democracy when their middle classes are educated, with strong social equality. Moreover, democratisation encourages reforms that are not conducive to radical transformation. Johnson and Leftwich argue that democratisation leads to instability and chaos. An empirical study suggests that democracy increases political violence below a certain income level. However, there are still no definitive studies on the role of the middle class in development. Despite these limitations, the history of democratisation shows that it can improve quality of life and promote development. However, the empirical link between development and democracy is weak, particularly since authoritarian regimes often pursue development before democratisation. It is therefore necessary to provide democratic channels for citizens to exert pressure on the elite. For this to work, a country must develop strong civil society, opposition parties, and decentralisation. And if democratisation is not enough, then another route should be pursued, which entails persuading the regime to promote development. Besides the above-mentioned causes, democratisation also depends on the educational system in the country. Higher educational levels mean that citizens have more information on political issues and are more likely to participate in the democratic process. Furthermore, well-educated citizens hold values that are consistent with democracy. As a result, democratization needs to promote education, and citizens should be given freedom to evaluate different political ideas. These are the most important factors in a democracy. Despite the varying definitions of democratisation, the experience of capitalism is a major contributing factor in promoting democratic processes. Free-market economies create pressure for political freedom and economic freedom. Private enterprise creates a class of citizens with separate interests and resources from the state. These individuals organize to push for responsive government. In contrast, absence of economic freedom reduces citizens’ incentives and the ability to hold government accountable. As a result, authoritarian regimes are more likely to develop. The collapse of communism has inspired political scientists to reconsider comparative literature on democratisation. Much of the literature on the process of transitioning from authoritarianism to democratisation has focused on national level politics. However, the relationship between democratisation and federalism has largely been neglected. This study investigates the relationship between democratisation and federalism in Russia. Its main findings will provide useful lessons for studying democratisation in other countries. Political democratisation has been beneficial in several ways. Most importantly, it has allowed the poorest citizens to participate in politics. Despite the lack of political competition, democratic societies produce higher education levels, lower crime rates, and lower unemployment rates than their less developed counterparts. In addition, democratic societies have created diverse social benefits and transfers for citizens. This is largely because they use political institutions and historical political compromise that are not available anywhere else. The development of democratic societies has increased public expectations of government responsibility.