The Process of Democracy
Democratisation is the process by which political regimes transition from authoritarian or dictatorial rule to democratic governance. Democratisation can occur as an outcome of bottom-up grassroots processes or may be consolidated and institutionalized. Typically, it takes time to develop these democratic institutions and practices.
Despite its ubiquity in the Western world, democratisation is an extremely difficult task and is far from a simple process. It takes a significant amount of effort and commitment on the part of elites and the broader population to move towards democracy. Moreover, the process itself can be highly disruptive and intractable.
The transition to democracy can be triggered by a number of factors, including economic development, historical legacies, civil society, and international processes. Some of these factors are considered to be structural causes of democratization; others are more contingent in nature and depend on the characteristics of the elites who lead the democratization process.
There are many different theories of democratization, but scholars often agree that the transition from authoritarian rule to democracy is contingent and subject to multiple causality. Some of these explanations rely on economic growth as a factor that encourages democratization, but it is important to consider whether this relationship is positive or negative.
Another explanation focuses on how people’s expectations affect the transition from authoritarian rule to democracy. In this model, the success of the democratization depends on the attitudes of the middle class and the ability of the governing elite to satisfy these expectations.
While the middle classes are generally supportive of democratization, they sometimes support authoritarian regimes when they suit their interests. During the 1930s, for example, the middle classes supported Nazi Germany because they saw it as the best choice for economic prosperity.
In a modern democracy, politicians and the governed represent the people’s interest by voting on policies and laws. In addition, governments protect the rights of citizens and ensure that they are not abused by powerful individuals or groups.
There is no universally accepted definition of democracy, although many experts agree that it should include a combination of freedoms and checks and balances on power, such as an independent judicial system and a separation of powers between the executive, legislative and parliamentary institutions. There are also a variety of conventions that govern the behaviour of leaders and citizens.
Some of these conventions are the result of elite negotiations and “pacting.” These negotiations often focus on a small set of issues, but the negotiations are often contested by other elites. This is a major reason why democratization can be so slow.
During the last few decades, several waves of democratization have occurred in many countries. The first main wave of democratization took place in Europe in the 1930s, followed by attempts at democratization in newly independent former British colonies in the 1940s and 1950s. The second wave of democratization took place in Latin America and East Asia during the postwar period, and then again in Asia and Africa during the 1970s and 1980s.
Democratisation is the process by which political regimes transition from authoritarian or dictatorial rule to democratic governance. Democratisation can occur as an outcome of bottom-up grassroots processes or may be consolidated and institutionalized. Typically, it takes time to develop these democratic institutions and practices. Despite its ubiquity in the Western world, democratisation is an extremely difficult task and is far from a simple process. It takes a significant amount of effort and commitment on the part of elites and the broader population to move towards democracy. Moreover, the process itself can be highly disruptive and intractable. The transition to democracy can be triggered by a number of factors, including economic development, historical legacies, civil society, and international processes. Some of these factors are considered to be structural causes of democratization; others are more contingent in nature and depend on the characteristics of the elites who lead the democratization process. There are many different theories of democratization, but scholars often agree that the transition from authoritarian rule to democracy is contingent and subject to multiple causality. Some of these explanations rely on economic growth as a factor that encourages democratization, but it is important to consider whether this relationship is positive or negative. Another explanation focuses on how people’s expectations affect the transition from authoritarian rule to democracy. In this model, the success of the democratization depends on the attitudes of the middle class and the ability of the governing elite to satisfy these expectations. While the middle classes are generally supportive of democratization, they sometimes support authoritarian regimes when they suit their interests. During the 1930s, for example, the middle classes supported Nazi Germany because they saw it as the best choice for economic prosperity. In a modern democracy, politicians and the governed represent the people’s interest by voting on policies and laws. In addition, governments protect the rights of citizens and ensure that they are not abused by powerful individuals or groups. There is no universally accepted definition of democracy, although many experts agree that it should include a combination of freedoms and checks and balances on power, such as an independent judicial system and a separation of powers between the executive, legislative and parliamentary institutions. There are also a variety of conventions that govern the behaviour of leaders and citizens. Some of these conventions are the result of elite negotiations and “pacting.” These negotiations often focus on a small set of issues, but the negotiations are often contested by other elites. This is a major reason why democratization can be so slow. During the last few decades, several waves of democratization have occurred in many countries. The first main wave of democratization took place in Europe in the 1930s, followed by attempts at democratization in newly independent former British colonies in the 1940s and 1950s. The second wave of democratization took place in Latin America and East Asia during the postwar period, and then again in Asia and Africa during the 1970s and 1980s.