Chapter 5: Democracy and Democratization

This Week…• What is Democracy?

• Democracy in Theory vs Democracy in Practice

• Types of Democracy

• Democratization

• Why do States Democratize

What is Democracy?• Thoughts?

• “rule by the people” or rule by citizens• Typified by rights and liberties• Freedom of speech, the right to association, the right to

vote etc.

• Specific definition is contested, though at its core:• Political rights• Civil rights

The Map of Freedom

So…About Democracy in the US

• Consider the following:

• Turnout in the US Winner: (approx)

2012: 54.9% Obama: 51% 2008: 57.1% Obama: 53% 2004: 55.7% G.W. Bush: 51% 2000: 50.3% G.W. Bush: 49% 1996: 49% Clinton: 49% 1992: 55.2% Clinton: 43% 1988: 50.3% G.H.W. Bush: 53%

…and Canada

• Turnout in Canada Winner (approx)

2011: 61.1% Conservatives: 39.7% 2008: 58.8% Conservatives: 37.7% 2006: 64.7% Conservatives: 36.3% 2004: 60.9% Liberals: 36.7%

2000: 61.2% Liberals: 40.8% 1997: 67% Liberals: 38.5% 1993: 69.6% Liberals: 41.3% 1988: 75.3% Progressive Conservative: 43% 1984: 75.3% Progressive Conservative: 50%

Democratic Regimes

• Regime: A collection of rules and institutions by which the government is run

• A democratic regime has:• Democratic institutions, civil rights, regular, free and fair

elections

• Not all democracies, though, are made equally.

Minimal (or Procedural) Democracy

• This perspective is primarily concerned with a few simple rules to determine whether a state is a democracy or not• Political rights:• Free and fair elections• Near universal suffrage• Regular elections• Multiple Parties/No significant limits on who can run

• Civil Liberties• Freedom of speech• Freedom of the press• Freedom of assebly

Substantive (Robust) Definition of Democracy

• This definition is less concerned with rules, more concerned with outcomes• There are ranges of democratic outcomes, where even the

best can still improve

• Reasonable amount of participation• No exclusion

• Groups, genders, sexualities, ethnicities are equal in the system• Government can be held accountable (little corruption)• Can implement agenda

• Public awareness• Limited poverty or excessive inequality

Democratization• Democratization is the process of a regime

becoming more democratic (can be due to transition or consolidation)

• Democratization happens as a result of regime change• Sometimes, though, regime change fails to accomplish

that goal

• Transition: Moving from an authoritarian regime to a democracy• Sometimes violent, sometimes negotiated

• Consolidation: institutionalization of the “rules of the game”

Types of Democracy• Representative Democracy• Constitutional Republic• Constitutional Monarchy

• Core of any ‘meaningful’ democracy is the constitution

• Constitutions define the relationship between the state and the population of that state• Limits power of government• Limits power of majority

Constitutional Rights• Democratic constitutions ensure a series rights for

citizens:• The right to participate in politics (vote and run)• Regular elections• Freedom to assemble• Freedom of speech• Freedom of religion/beliefs (if not actions)• Freedom to seek changing the law

• Political rights and Civil Rights• Sometimes rights and freedoms infringe on others’ rights

and freedoms, so limits may be deemed necessary

Direct Democracy• Growing tool in some democracies

• Referendums

• Plebiscites

• Recall

• Citizen’s Assemblies

Stages of Democratization 1• Transition is the period one a government changes

from one form (an authoritarian regime/dictatorship) to a democratic one

• Transitions can last from several days to decades• The Mexican experience• The UK• Poland

• How does transition occur?• Dictator sees the end• Military• Revolution

Stages of Democratization 2

• Consolidation is the strengthening and eventual institutionalization of democracy as the form of government• Everyone plays by “the rules of the game”

• Usually requires multiple elections• Very long process• Rarely linnear

Why do States Democratize?• Modernization Theory (correlation or causation?):

• Primary focus economic development• Rise of the middle class• Rise of literacy• Urbanization• Wealthy states are more stable

• In poor states, a wealthy elite tend to rule (revolutionary mobs that may emerge usually want to punish rulers, rather than set up democratic alternative)• What about a case like India?

Why do States Democratize? 2

• Cultural Theories:• Values• “order, hard work and social progress”• Democratization may not be a priority• Group harmony rather than individual expression

• Over time values, culture and norms can evolve and change• Shaped by government, as well as outside pressures• Hegemonic culture

Why do States Democratize? 3

• International Imperatives

• Learning from state-to-state• Post Cold War democratization• Waves of Democracy

• Local Institutions• Rules that impact values• Constitutions• Electoral systems

Why Do States Democratize? 4

• Individuals (agents and actors):

• Leadership• Being “up to” the challenge• What are the qualities that allow an individual leader to succeed?

• Splits in ruling regimes• Groups being pushed out of the ruling coalition may work with

opposition for a democratic transition• While a powerful network, the fringes of both sides are usually

upset

• Larger networks of individuals like Labour Unions