The Process of Democracy
The explosion of democracy worldwide in the 20th century has reoriented international politics. Many countries that had been authoritarian now are democracies, and it has become commonplace to associate democracy with positive outcomes, including respect for human rights, economic prosperity, and security. But what exactly is democracy? While scholars have offered many definitions, most agree that democracy is a method of contestation and participation that allows power to be transferred in an orderly manner from one popularly-mandated group to another. It also enables the resolution of disputes by civil means rather than by violence. Finally, it is a system in which the people have the right to participate directly in government, either as voters or as participants in political parties or civic organizations.
There are many theories of how a country becomes a democracy. One of the most widely accepted is that it requires an economic development that results in a rising middle class with an interest in and the capacity to demand increased influence over governance issues. It is this increased demand that eventually forces even the most repressive governments to give in and allow for some form of democratic change.
Another theory holds that there are structural “big causes” of democratization, such as the existence of democratic traditions in other countries, economic development, and levels of social instability. In particular, economic development appears to be essential because it leads to an educated populace, which is more likely to be concerned about the state of government and more able to demand changes.
In addition, it is believed that a society must have achieved a certain level of social and cultural maturity to be able to comprehend and accept democratic ideas, values, and practices. This is particularly important because the process of democratization often involves changing deeply held beliefs and values, such as traditional views about family structure, religion, and ethnicity.
A number of studies have looked at the factors that contribute to a country becoming a democracy. Some of these have focused on the importance of civil society and grassroots activism, while others have examined how a society’s history shapes perceptions about democracy and its feasibility. In general, however, it has been found that successful democratization requires a progression from pro-democratic civil society changes, to procedural democracy, to substantive democracy. Each step must be achieved before the next can be attempted.
Lastly, scholars have looked at how a regime transitions from an authoritarian state to a democracy. In particular, the role of foreign intervention has been explored. It is generally agreed that interventions can help the transition if they are accompanied by training in democratic institutions and procedures, support from local political elites, and other conditions.
A significant body of work has been developed in the area of Democratisation, and this research is continually evolving. Some of the more recent developments include a growing focus on the role of democracy in international relations, and a recognition that there is a phenomenon called the ‘democratic peace’ in which democracies do not go to war with each other.
The explosion of democracy worldwide in the 20th century has reoriented international politics. Many countries that had been authoritarian now are democracies, and it has become commonplace to associate democracy with positive outcomes, including respect for human rights, economic prosperity, and security. But what exactly is democracy? While scholars have offered many definitions, most agree that democracy is a method of contestation and participation that allows power to be transferred in an orderly manner from one popularly-mandated group to another. It also enables the resolution of disputes by civil means rather than by violence. Finally, it is a system in which the people have the right to participate directly in government, either as voters or as participants in political parties or civic organizations. There are many theories of how a country becomes a democracy. One of the most widely accepted is that it requires an economic development that results in a rising middle class with an interest in and the capacity to demand increased influence over governance issues. It is this increased demand that eventually forces even the most repressive governments to give in and allow for some form of democratic change. Another theory holds that there are structural “big causes” of democratization, such as the existence of democratic traditions in other countries, economic development, and levels of social instability. In particular, economic development appears to be essential because it leads to an educated populace, which is more likely to be concerned about the state of government and more able to demand changes. In addition, it is believed that a society must have achieved a certain level of social and cultural maturity to be able to comprehend and accept democratic ideas, values, and practices. This is particularly important because the process of democratization often involves changing deeply held beliefs and values, such as traditional views about family structure, religion, and ethnicity. A number of studies have looked at the factors that contribute to a country becoming a democracy. Some of these have focused on the importance of civil society and grassroots activism, while others have examined how a society’s history shapes perceptions about democracy and its feasibility. In general, however, it has been found that successful democratization requires a progression from pro-democratic civil society changes, to procedural democracy, to substantive democracy. Each step must be achieved before the next can be attempted. Lastly, scholars have looked at how a regime transitions from an authoritarian state to a democracy. In particular, the role of foreign intervention has been explored. It is generally agreed that interventions can help the transition if they are accompanied by training in democratic institutions and procedures, support from local political elites, and other conditions. A significant body of work has been developed in the area of Democratisation, and this research is continually evolving. Some of the more recent developments include a growing focus on the role of democracy in international relations, and a recognition that there is a phenomenon called the ‘democratic peace’ in which democracies do not go to war with each other.