What Is Democratisation?
Democratisation is the process by which a country makes the transition to a democracy. This process is often seen as a long and difficult one, and there is much debate as to whether democracy is really worth the effort that it demands. There is also much disagreement about the conditions that are necessary for a society to become democratic. Many academics believe that a democratic political culture is necessary for the success of a democracy, and this is usually defined as a collection of attitudes and values including tolerance for diversity, the belief that other citizens are basically trustworthy, the willingness to compromise, and a respect for freedom and equality. This civic culture is also thought to require a commitment to public welfare.
Other scholars argue that a democracy is only possible if the majority of citizens accept democratic ideas, principles and practices as part of their cultural identity. These must be able to co-exist with traditional cultural referents and beliefs about the good life. This is a particularly challenging task where religious or tribal traditions are in play. For example, when the pro-western Shah of Iran embarked on processes of civil-society expansion in the 1970s as part of a democratisation strategy, he ran into serious opposition from the Iranian middle classes who had no desire to abandon their traditional culture and religion.
In addition to the underlying cultural factors, many academics believe that a democracy requires some level of economic development and high levels of literacy and education. This is because a well-educated population is better able to understand the issues involved in a democracy and to participate actively in government. It is also more likely to support a democracy that provides a fair distribution of wealth and opportunities for all. In this context, the Arab Spring of 2011 demonstrated a new willingness of young people to take to the streets and demonstrate their discontent with what they saw as an unjust and corrupt regime.
Finally, it is important that a democracy be participatory, and this is why some academics emphasise the importance of a wide range of ways for citizens to engage with politics and their government. Obviously, the most obvious way is to vote, but there are other ways, such as by writing to a newspaper or attending a demonstration. In addition, a democracy needs citizens to contribute – either through taxes or in the form of volunteering for community organisations.
Although there have been a few examples of foreign-induced democratisation, most analysts agree that sustainable pro-democratic civil-society changes must precede a successful transition to procedural or working democracy. This is why the experience of Afghanistan and Iraq demonstrates that democratisation instigated from outside stands little chance of succeeding.
Democratisation is the process by which a country makes the transition to a democracy. This process is often seen as a long and difficult one, and there is much debate as to whether democracy is really worth the effort that it demands. There is also much disagreement about the conditions that are necessary for a society to become democratic. Many academics believe that a democratic political culture is necessary for the success of a democracy, and this is usually defined as a collection of attitudes and values including tolerance for diversity, the belief that other citizens are basically trustworthy, the willingness to compromise, and a respect for freedom and equality. This civic culture is also thought to require a commitment to public welfare. Other scholars argue that a democracy is only possible if the majority of citizens accept democratic ideas, principles and practices as part of their cultural identity. These must be able to co-exist with traditional cultural referents and beliefs about the good life. This is a particularly challenging task where religious or tribal traditions are in play. For example, when the pro-western Shah of Iran embarked on processes of civil-society expansion in the 1970s as part of a democratisation strategy, he ran into serious opposition from the Iranian middle classes who had no desire to abandon their traditional culture and religion. In addition to the underlying cultural factors, many academics believe that a democracy requires some level of economic development and high levels of literacy and education. This is because a well-educated population is better able to understand the issues involved in a democracy and to participate actively in government. It is also more likely to support a democracy that provides a fair distribution of wealth and opportunities for all. In this context, the Arab Spring of 2011 demonstrated a new willingness of young people to take to the streets and demonstrate their discontent with what they saw as an unjust and corrupt regime. Finally, it is important that a democracy be participatory, and this is why some academics emphasise the importance of a wide range of ways for citizens to engage with politics and their government. Obviously, the most obvious way is to vote, but there are other ways, such as by writing to a newspaper or attending a demonstration. In addition, a democracy needs citizens to contribute – either through taxes or in the form of volunteering for community organisations. Although there have been a few examples of foreign-induced democratisation, most analysts agree that sustainable pro-democratic civil-society changes must precede a successful transition to procedural or working democracy. This is why the experience of Afghanistan and Iraq demonstrates that democratisation instigated from outside stands little chance of succeeding.