What Is Democratisation?
Democratisation is a process of political change that transforms an authoritarian or dictatorial regime into one in which the people are able to control and influence government decisions. It is a long and complex process, often with frequent reversals.
Various factors are cited as influencing the development of democratisation, and theorists agree that there is no single cause of democratization; however, most scholars believe that certain values and attitudes are important in promoting the democratic process. These include tolerance for diversity, interpersonal trust, belief in a fair system of justice, and an ability to engage in dialogue with all citizens.
Democracy also requires that elites view themselves as members of the same nation and agree on the boundaries of the state. If these conditions are not met, the resulting conflict will destabilise the democratic transition.
There is no consensus about what defines a democratic culture, but most scholars agree that it includes attitudes and values such as tolerance for diversity, belief in a fair system of justice, an ability to engage in dialogue with all citizens, and an ability to accept and compromise.
Some theorists argue that a democratic cultural environment is a necessary condition for democratization to occur. Others dispute this claim.
Economic prosperity and development are frequently cited as factors that increase the likelihood of democracy in some societies. This is especially true in countries with high levels of education, but there is no consensus about why this correlation occurs or whether it applies to non-western societies.
Another common epistemic justification for democracy is that it is more effective in addressing collective problems than other forms of decision making. This is because democratic procedures involve a large number of citizens and bring in a variety of different sources of information to address the problem.
These reasons for the efficacy of democracy have been cited in many countries around the world. Some theorists have argued that these benefits are particularly important in poor and unstable societies where experts might not have adequate resources to identify and solve the problem.
A third common justification for democracy is that it provides a more accurate picture of the needs and interests of citizens than other forms of decision-making, especially those of experts. This is because the democratic process brings a wide range of citizens into the discussion, thus allowing them to correct experts’ biases about social needs and troubles (Dewey 1927; Waldron 1995).
The Middle Class
A common argument in favor of democracy is that it benefits people in all income groups. It helps to ensure that the rich do not use their wealth to impose their will on the poor. This can lead to a variety of economic and political problems.
Moreover, a growing middle class can provide the necessary support for democracy to become established. This group seeks stability and security in the economy, a sense of personal responsibility, and the ability to protect their property rights.
Some theorists have criticized this view and have pointed to several studies that show that the wealth of an individual does not necessarily determine his or her interest in democracy. In fact, a growing middle class is sometimes used to undermine democracy and to create an atmosphere that supports authoritarian rule.
Democratisation is a process of political change that transforms an authoritarian or dictatorial regime into one in which the people are able to control and influence government decisions. It is a long and complex process, often with frequent reversals. Various factors are cited as influencing the development of democratisation, and theorists agree that there is no single cause of democratization; however, most scholars believe that certain values and attitudes are important in promoting the democratic process. These include tolerance for diversity, interpersonal trust, belief in a fair system of justice, and an ability to engage in dialogue with all citizens. Democracy also requires that elites view themselves as members of the same nation and agree on the boundaries of the state. If these conditions are not met, the resulting conflict will destabilise the democratic transition. There is no consensus about what defines a democratic culture, but most scholars agree that it includes attitudes and values such as tolerance for diversity, belief in a fair system of justice, an ability to engage in dialogue with all citizens, and an ability to accept and compromise. Some theorists argue that a democratic cultural environment is a necessary condition for democratization to occur. Others dispute this claim. Economic prosperity and development are frequently cited as factors that increase the likelihood of democracy in some societies. This is especially true in countries with high levels of education, but there is no consensus about why this correlation occurs or whether it applies to non-western societies. Another common epistemic justification for democracy is that it is more effective in addressing collective problems than other forms of decision making. This is because democratic procedures involve a large number of citizens and bring in a variety of different sources of information to address the problem. These reasons for the efficacy of democracy have been cited in many countries around the world. Some theorists have argued that these benefits are particularly important in poor and unstable societies where experts might not have adequate resources to identify and solve the problem. A third common justification for democracy is that it provides a more accurate picture of the needs and interests of citizens than other forms of decision-making, especially those of experts. This is because the democratic process brings a wide range of citizens into the discussion, thus allowing them to correct experts’ biases about social needs and troubles (Dewey 1927; Waldron 1995). The Middle Class A common argument in favor of democracy is that it benefits people in all income groups. It helps to ensure that the rich do not use their wealth to impose their will on the poor. This can lead to a variety of economic and political problems. Moreover, a growing middle class can provide the necessary support for democracy to become established. This group seeks stability and security in the economy, a sense of personal responsibility, and the ability to protect their property rights. Some theorists have criticized this view and have pointed to several studies that show that the wealth of an individual does not necessarily determine his or her interest in democracy. In fact, a growing middle class is sometimes used to undermine democracy and to create an atmosphere that supports authoritarian rule.