1. What is democracy

Question 1

What is democracy?

Answer 1

Democracy means different things to different people. Globally, two dimensions are mentioned most often:
- rule of law/liberalism
- rule by the people/democracy

But there are many more possible dimensions

Rule of law: equality, popular sovereignty, freedom, rights, liberty
Rule by the people: political process, elections

Question 2

First wave of democracy

Answer 2

1820-1918
About old democracies, mainly western Europe and USA.
Took a long time to develop and there were very few
Very gradual: from unlimited power for the king to a constitutional monarchy to the first parliaments to state institutions
Before WWI some eastern European countries were experimenting with democracy

3. This is why there is the idea that it is unfair to expect African countries to develop a democracy in 20 years
4. State institutions resulted in the nation state and suffrage expanding

Question 3

First reverse wave of democracy

Answer 3

Due to the rise of fascism and communism, resulting in WWI and WWII

Question 4

Second wave of democratisation

Answer 4

1. After the end of WWII til 1960.
2. Countries that were fascist become democratic again
3. Decolonisation resulted in a lot of countries become independent and experimenting with democracy
4. The decolonisation is because a lot of colonies helped during the war, which triggered a lot of independence movements.

Question 5

Second reverse wave of democracy

Answer 5

1. 1960-1989 due to the Cold War.
2. The USA and SU supported dictators in order for support back, which hindered democratisation processes.

Question 6

Third wave of democratisation

Answer 6

1. Starts before the end of the Cold War
2. Due to democratisation of southern European states
3. Started in the 70s with the dictator of Portugal leaving due to disagreement in the army about Angola
4. Spain democratised after Franco died, which influenced democratisation processes in Latin America
5. After the cold war there was more democratisation due to the victory of the west

3. 3: Again shows the influence of colonies on democratisation
4. 5: The world balance shifted, democracy was seen as the solution

Question 7

Problem with the concept of waves

Answer 7

We generalise. There’s always movement in both ways. There is democratic backsliding right now in some countries, but there are also democratic successes.

Question 8

Normative arguments for democracy

Answer 8

1. Ideally, it is a fair system because everyone has a say.
2. The government represents what the people want.
3. There is equality

Question 9

Normative arguments for autocracy

Answer 9

1. It is more efficient in crisis, the response is quicker. You dont have to deliberate with your enitre group of ministers.
2. Enlighted despote: they can ignore the stupidity of people –> defend them against their own bad choices.

Question 10

Empirical arguments for democracy

strong evidence for

Answer 10

Quite strong evidence that democracy leads to:
1. Better human rights
2. less corruption
3. human development/health
4. quality of government
5. trade
6. technological change
7. FDI

Pretty strong evidence for:
1. positive impact on social & economic policy outcomes too: education, environment, growth, etc.

Question 11

Empirical arguments for democracy

No effects found

Answer 11

No effects found on:
1. Inequality
2. Inflation
3. Public spending

These were highlighted as important in the lecture

Question 12

Empirical arguments for autocracy

Answer 12

1. You can plan for the long term; you don’t have to worry about votes or elections. (idea for climate change)
2. Stable autocracies have high quality public services

1. 2. is because they do it to keep their people happy and prevent them from rising up against them, examples are Rwanda and Singapore.