Conflict Resolution and the Concept of Democratisation
The idea of a “democratic society” used to be viewed as a utopian goal, a utopia where people had the right to vote and decide what they want. In addition to these requirements, a democracy should have a moderate middle class, a high level of education, and a civil culture of tolerance and moderation. In these definitions, developed countries are already democratised. Today, however, there is a much more complex picture.
In fact, the notion of democratisation is a simple one. Essentially, it refers to the establishment of a democratic political system. But the process of democratisation is not that simple. It is far from effortless. It has not been easy, and it has not always been easy. Nevertheless, this concept has important implications for conflict-resolution practitioners. So, let us explore what democratisation means. It is the process of creating a representative democracy.
Democratisation is an ongoing process that requires a number of conditions to succeed. In order to be successful, transitions must be facilitated by institutions and the elites must be convinced that their future is better. In other words, they must see themselves as citizens of the same nation, agree on its borders, and resolve conflicts through bargaining. This is what makes democratisation successful. But there are several factors that influence the pace of democratisation.
The first requirement of democratisation is a democratic political culture. The emergence of a tolerant middle class is essential to democracy. Furthermore, people need to feel that they are a part of the democratic system. These values include equality of opportunity, mutual respect, and willingness to compromise. Moreover, they must value human rights and the rule of law. The latter two characteristics are rarely associated with a tolerant middle class. So, in the context of democratisation, the middle class is essential.
Democracies with a strong elite are likely to be more democratic than non-elites. This is because the latter will be able to build a more transparent and equitable society. They will also be more willing to respect other nations’ constitutions. But despite these benefits, democratisation is not guaranteed. Developing countries can implement many of the same democratisation policies that have been implemented in the West. So, if we want a more ethical foreign policy, we must do our part in promoting democratisation in our own societies.
Developing countries have varying levels of democratisation. They can experience regular elections or occasional transfers of power, while other countries have hybrid regimes. Nevertheless, there are many determinants of democratisation. Consequently, it is important to make a sound decision on whether to engage in a development project in a particular country. In general, there is an enduring interest in facilitating democratisation in developing countries.
The idea of a “democratic society” used to be viewed as a utopian goal, a utopia where people had the right to vote and decide what they want. In addition to these requirements, a democracy should have a moderate middle class, a high level of education, and a civil culture of tolerance and moderation. In these definitions, developed countries are already democratised. Today, however, there is a much more complex picture. In fact, the notion of democratisation is a simple one. Essentially, it refers to the establishment of a democratic political system. But the process of democratisation is not that simple. It is far from effortless. It has not been easy, and it has not always been easy. Nevertheless, this concept has important implications for conflict-resolution practitioners. So, let us explore what democratisation means. It is the process of creating a representative democracy. Democratisation is an ongoing process that requires a number of conditions to succeed. In order to be successful, transitions must be facilitated by institutions and the elites must be convinced that their future is better. In other words, they must see themselves as citizens of the same nation, agree on its borders, and resolve conflicts through bargaining. This is what makes democratisation successful. But there are several factors that influence the pace of democratisation. The first requirement of democratisation is a democratic political culture. The emergence of a tolerant middle class is essential to democracy. Furthermore, people need to feel that they are a part of the democratic system. These values include equality of opportunity, mutual respect, and willingness to compromise. Moreover, they must value human rights and the rule of law. The latter two characteristics are rarely associated with a tolerant middle class. So, in the context of democratisation, the middle class is essential. Democracies with a strong elite are likely to be more democratic than non-elites. This is because the latter will be able to build a more transparent and equitable society. They will also be more willing to respect other nations’ constitutions. But despite these benefits, democratisation is not guaranteed. Developing countries can implement many of the same democratisation policies that have been implemented in the West. So, if we want a more ethical foreign policy, we must do our part in promoting democratisation in our own societies. Developing countries have varying levels of democratisation. They can experience regular elections or occasional transfers of power, while other countries have hybrid regimes. Nevertheless, there are many determinants of democratisation. Consequently, it is important to make a sound decision on whether to engage in a development project in a particular country. In general, there is an enduring interest in facilitating democratisation in developing countries.