Democratic Transition in the Developing World

Question 1

What does the UN Vienna Declaration define as democracy ?

Answer 1

democracy is based on the freewill of the people to determine their own political, economic, social and cultural systems and their full participation in all aspects of their lives.

Question 2

What are the two types of democracy according to Larry Diamond ?

Answer 2

1. Electoral democracies
   Hold free, far and periodic elections but civil rights are not well protected
2. Liberal democracies
   Protect and promote a significant range of civil liberties in addition to free and fair elections

Question 2

Are elections enough ?

Answer 2

Elections do not guarantee democratic or liberal outcomes. elections in non western societies can lead the victory of anti democratic regimes and politicians often appeal to voters based o nationalism, ethnicity and religion.

Question 2

What are the 8 criteria for democracy stated by Robert Dahl ?

Answer 2

1. inclusive citizenship
2. the rule of law (protection for minorities)
3. freedom of expression ( religion, speech, press)
4. free and fair elections
5. equality in voting
6. citizen control of the agenda
7. freedom of associations
8. civilian control over security forces (politically neutral)

Question 2

What are the 5 democratic scenarios ?

Answer 2

1. variations among well established democratic regimes eg. USA and Western Europe
2. rejection of western democratic model by a significant proportion of the population but without viable alternative eg. Russia
3. aspirations for western style democracy but a weak socio-economic base and alternative traditions that may compete with democracy eg. Latin America and India
4. successful economic modernization but now with western cultural traditions and political systems that are experiencing their own hybrid forms of democracy eg. east Asia
5. non western countries that have neither the socio economic base for neither democracy not a clear and strong historical and cultural traditions eg. African countries and sub-Saharan

Question 2

How does economic development help democracy ?

Answer 2

Leads to modernization - greater literacy, education and urbanization, expands the middle class which defends its interests
Higher levels of distribution as a whole economy expands among people easier
It produces a more complex society, making it more difficult for states to assert control
The reduction of state control over the economy enhances the emergence of powerful economic actors which are independent of the state
In the long term, economic development produces greater “income equality”

Question 2

What are the causes of democratization in the third world ?

Answer 2

• vulnerability of autocratic rulers and military regimes (delegitimization of the governments in office)
• the debt crisis and conditionality politics by western democracies and the pressure of multilateral organizations and aid orgs
• the spread of primary and secondary education, and the educated citizens articulated demands for popular participation and a change in state affairs

Question 2

What are the democratic waves according to Huntington?

Answer 2

1. First wave (1820-1920) : rooted in North America and Europe
2. Second Wave (Post WW2 - 1960) : spread through allied occupations, decolonization and democratization
3. Third Wave (1970s - present )
   Began with the assasination of portugal’s leader and spain’s transition, spread through europe and asia and latin america after the collapse of communist regimes
   Influenced by economic development and cultural receptivity

Question 3

What factors helped to facilitate the third wave ?

Answer 3

• right wing authoritarian regimes fell in southern europe
• military dictatorships in Latin America were replaced by elected civilian governments
• authoritarian rule in eastern europe collapsed along with communist regimes
• the soviet union dissolved in 1991 resulting in the formation of 15 post soviet republics
• one party systems in africa declined in the early 1990s, transitioning to multiparty systems due to internal demands and pressures

Question 3

What is the “Arab Spring?

Answer 3

Weak but recognizable liberalization trend in some middle eastern countries in the 1990s and during what mass social movement called “the arab spring” in north africa
Turning point in fascist regimes in africa
Cause of arab spring - Arab youth denied chance to work, chance to get money. Economy was doing fine.

Question 3

What is Carothers transition model?

Answer 3

1. the opening a period of democratic ferment and political liberalization
2. Second, the breakthrough, the collapse of the regime and the rapid emergence of the new democratic system
3. Third, after the transition comes, consolidation, a slow but purposeful process in which democratic forms are transformed into democratic substance through the reform of state institutions the regularization of elections and strengthening of civil society

Question 4

What was the cause for democratization in post independence Africa ?

Answer 4

• most african countries were under military rule or one party states after independence.
• from 1989 resurgence of democratization, where political leaders peacefully cede power to elected opposition leaders.
  protests driven by urban groups concerned about economic uncertainty and purchasing power
• african state elites sought legitimacy through multiparty elections to survive crisis of authority
• external pressure for political pluralism and reforms from international actors.

Question 5

What were the factors driving liberalization in Latin America?

Answer 5

• economic difficulties associated with the debt crisis undermined government legitimacy
• military defeats weakened dictatorships in much of latin america
• authoritarian regime struggled to respond to natural distaters
• external influence :
• US sanctions pressured
• collapse of communist regimes exposed the weakness of marxist ideologies