The Process of Democracy
Achieving democracy is a long process, involving a number of phases that need to be fulfilled before a country can claim to have truly achieved the democratic ideal. These phases can include the establishment of a civil society, the formation of political institutions and an effective government. The development of a democracy can also include the creation of an economy where economic freedoms are respected and where economic policies are transparent. A well-functioning democracy should provide citizens with a reasonable level of social welfare and protection, including the right to free speech, freedom of assembly and a fair trial. The development of democracy should be encouraged by governments and other third parties, who can assist with economic reform, encourage civic engagement, and support a free press. This is done through the provision of funding, training and political influence, as well as providing incentives to the private sector and ensuring that corruption does not detract from the functioning of the state.
Democratisation has never been easy and it has almost always come with hazards. Many analysts believe that a democratisation process needs to grow organically from within a society and only once this has been done can the objective of achieving substantive democracy be regarded as successful. It is not something that can be imposed from outside, although the example of Japan and Germany in the immediate post-World War II period is often cited as proof of this.
The most important element in the organic democratisation process is the formation of a civil society, where various political, social and cultural groups can interact with each other. This can help to bind the population together, creating a sense of community, and help to define the limits of the governmental authorities and their powers. It can also promote liberal education and make it easier to abandon outdated traditions and cultural practices.
Many other factors have been argued to be conducive to democratisation, such as economic modernization, industrialization and the development of capitalism. In agrarian societies, the industrialization of agriculture was often seen as paving the way for a democratic revolution. It was argued that industrialization lowered the class distance between lords and peasants, increasing the possibility of a more equal relationship. It was also argued that the development of a national market increased the opportunities for the participation of peasants in parliamentary politics.
The relationship between democracy and human rights has also been a focus of debate. Some scholars have argued that the more a country progresses towards democracy, the better its respect for civil rights such as freedom of speech and assembly, the right to trial by jury and protection against torture. Other scholars have argued that this link is more complex and has to do with a change in the character of a society, rather than a direct effect of democracy. The growth of technology, and the way it is facilitated by the Internet, has also been linked to democratisation. It is claimed that the proliferation of digital services, such as Uber and AirBnb, creates a kind of de facto democratization by making information accessible to anyone who can pay for it.
Achieving democracy is a long process, involving a number of phases that need to be fulfilled before a country can claim to have truly achieved the democratic ideal. These phases can include the establishment of a civil society, the formation of political institutions and an effective government. The development of a democracy can also include the creation of an economy where economic freedoms are respected and where economic policies are transparent. A well-functioning democracy should provide citizens with a reasonable level of social welfare and protection, including the right to free speech, freedom of assembly and a fair trial. The development of democracy should be encouraged by governments and other third parties, who can assist with economic reform, encourage civic engagement, and support a free press. This is done through the provision of funding, training and political influence, as well as providing incentives to the private sector and ensuring that corruption does not detract from the functioning of the state. Democratisation has never been easy and it has almost always come with hazards. Many analysts believe that a democratisation process needs to grow organically from within a society and only once this has been done can the objective of achieving substantive democracy be regarded as successful. It is not something that can be imposed from outside, although the example of Japan and Germany in the immediate post-World War II period is often cited as proof of this. The most important element in the organic democratisation process is the formation of a civil society, where various political, social and cultural groups can interact with each other. This can help to bind the population together, creating a sense of community, and help to define the limits of the governmental authorities and their powers. It can also promote liberal education and make it easier to abandon outdated traditions and cultural practices. Many other factors have been argued to be conducive to democratisation, such as economic modernization, industrialization and the development of capitalism. In agrarian societies, the industrialization of agriculture was often seen as paving the way for a democratic revolution. It was argued that industrialization lowered the class distance between lords and peasants, increasing the possibility of a more equal relationship. It was also argued that the development of a national market increased the opportunities for the participation of peasants in parliamentary politics. The relationship between democracy and human rights has also been a focus of debate. Some scholars have argued that the more a country progresses towards democracy, the better its respect for civil rights such as freedom of speech and assembly, the right to trial by jury and protection against torture. Other scholars have argued that this link is more complex and has to do with a change in the character of a society, rather than a direct effect of democracy. The growth of technology, and the way it is facilitated by the Internet, has also been linked to democratisation. It is claimed that the proliferation of digital services, such as Uber and AirBnb, creates a kind of de facto democratization by making information accessible to anyone who can pay for it.