1. What is Democracy Flashcards
What is democracy?
Democracy means different things to different people.
Most often
* Rule of law/liberalism
* Rule by the people/ democracy
There are however, much more possible dimensions
Rule of law –> equality, popular sovereignty, freedom, rights and liberty
Rule by the people –> political process, elections
First wave of democracy
1820-1918
Old democracies, mainly Western Europe + USA
* Took long time to develop + only very few countries
* Very gradual.
* From unlimited power for the king to a constitutional monarchy to the first parliaments to eventually state institutions.
Defining borders + uniting state –> development of nation state.
* Before WWI, some eastern European countries were experimenting with democracy
–> this is why there is the idea that it is unfair to expect African countries to immediately develop a democracy within 20 years.
Last step towards democratization = universal suffrage (stemrecht).
(But only 5% could initially vote which eventually grew into advantage of suffrage)
New inventions sprang from colonies, due to their need for freedom.
First reverse wave of democracy
Interbellum (1918-1940)
Due to the rise of fascism + communism during the interwar period contributed to the outbreak of WWII
Economic recession → Democratic system is blamed.
Hungary, Bulgaria, Portugal, Germany and Italy become dictatorships.
Besides economic recession: there was also disillusionment with democracy’s effectiveness.
Second wave of democratisation
After the end of WWII 1945 till 1960
* Countries that were fascist become democratic again (Japan, Germany etc.)
Democratization seemed to increase rapidly, yet many countries quickly reverted to Autocracy!!!
(Fragility)
* Decolonisation resulted in a lot of countries to become independent and experimenting with democracy
So: relationships changed –> not more countries democratic, but former colonies also democratic.
* Decolonisation happened due to a lot of colonies helped during the war. Which triggered a lot of independent movements
Addition: India became a democracy relatively quickly, but many African and Asian countries struggled with instability.
Second reverse wave of democracy
1960-1974 due to Cold War
The USA and SU supported dictators in order for support back.
–> so neutral countries forced to decide a side.
This hindered the democratisation processes.
In addition to U.S. and Soviet support for dictators, economic stagnation also played a role in reversing democratisation.
Third wave of democratisation
Starts before the end of the Cold War 1974-1989
* Due to democratisation of southern European states.
* Started in the 70s with the dictator of Portugal Salazar kicked out due to disagreement in the army about Angola
* Spain also democratised, after the dead of Franco. This influenced democratisation processes in Latin America.
*After the Cold War, there was more democratisation due to the victory of the West. (After fall of Soviet Union, many autocratic states lost external support + collapsed!)
In Latin America, many countries transitioned to democracy due to U.S. pressure and internal protests.
–> shows influence of colonies on democratisation
–> World balance shifted, democracy seen as solution.
–> more gradual liberalisation; leading towards a transition to hold elections
4e Golf/ Present? 1989-now?
Some scholars argue for a fourth wave, while others do not because many new democracies remain fragile.
End Cold War (1991) - no reason to promote dictators
Fall Berlim Wall
Democratization on global level. (Fukuyama ‘‘democratie heeft gewonnen’’) → Fukuyama’s End of History thesis was later criticized due to the rise of authoritarianism in the 21st century.
West thinks that African and Asian countries need to become democratic.
First Elections, then liberalisation. (democracy through elections)
Longer and less clear transitions
Growing critical view on the ‘‘old democracy’’ –> more focus on democratic stability and deepening
Problem with the concept of Democratisation waves
We generalise.
There is always movement in both ways. There is currently democratic backsliding in some countries, but there are also democratic successes.
Normative arguments for democracy
- Ideally, it is a fair system –> everyone has a say
- The government represents what the people want
- There is equality
Normative arguments for autocracy
- It is more efficient in crisis, the response is quicker.
You do not have to deliberate with your entire group of ministers. - Enlighted despote: they can ignore the stupidity of people.
–> defend them against their own bad choices
Empirical arguments for democracy
strong evidence for
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 (Foreign Direct investments)
Pretty strong evidence for:
Positive impact on social & economic policy outcomes too:
* Education
* Environment
* Growth etc.
Empirical arguments for democracy
No effects found
No effects found on:
1. Inequality
2. Inflation
3. Public spending
(highlighted as important in lecture)
Addition:
This does not mean democracy is bad for inequality, inflation, and public spending, but rather that research has found no clear effect.
Empirical arguments for autocracy
- You can plan for the long term.
You do not have to worry about votes, or elections. - Stable autocracies have high quality public services.
–> due the fact that they keep their people happy, preventing them from rising up against them.
(examples are Singapore and Rwanda)
Addition: Some autocracies achieve economic stability and effective governance (e.g., China)
Closed autocracies
North- Korea, Cuba, China
No elections, only local ones
Electoral regimes
the ‘‘self-respecting’’ dictators do have elections. Autocratic leaders hold elections to appear legitimate, but these are often manipulated.
Electoral autoritarian regimes
Russia
Election fraud. Opposition impossible.
But stable
What is democratic backsliding?
- A process where a democracy gradually shifts towards authoritarianism.
- Consequences: -
- Restrictions on media,
- repression of opposition
- weakening of independent institutions !!!
.
Examples: Hungary, Poland, Turkey.
What are hybrid regimes?
- Political systems that combine elements of both democracy and autocracy.
Often hold elections, but without genuine competition.
Examples: Russia, Venezuela, Turkey.
