2. Why are some countries democratic Flashcards
What is Huntington’s Clash of Civilisations Thesis?
A theory suggesting that cultural differences, especially between Western and Islamic societies, lead to conflicts.
What are the central claims of the Clash of Civilisations thesis?
- Contemporary values are linked to culture and historical legacies.
- Significant cultural differences exist between Western and Islamic societies.
- These differences can lead to conflicts within and between nation-states.
What characterizes Western civilization according to the Clash of Civilisations thesis?
- Separation of religious and political authority.
- Representative democracy.
- Protection of rights.
What are some social values that challenge traditional beliefs in Western societies?
- Faith in science and technology.
- Belief in sexual liberalization.
- Equality for women.
True or False: Scholars argue for a single Islamic or Western culture.
False.
What factors contribute to the rise of radical Islamic fundamentalism?
Deep disparities between the rich and poor, particularly among uneducated and unemployed youth.
What does the modernization and social values theory suggest?
- Post-industrial societies support female equality and changed gender roles.
- Industrialization leads to women’s workforce participation and lower fertility rates.
- Modernization results in declining values of traditional religious authority.
What did survey findings reveal about attitudes towards democracy in the Islamic world versus the West?
- Minimal difference in support for democratic ideals.
- Disapproval of strong leaders is common in both regions.
Fill in the blank: Countries with greater political rights and civil liberties, like _______ and _______ are less keen on strong leadership.
[Bangladesh, Turkey]
What is the political resource curse?
Countries reliant on natural resources struggle to democratize and often experience corruption and poor governance.
How does economic development relate to democracy according to modernization theory?
- Economic development encourages the emergence and survival of democracy.
- Dictatorships become unsustainable in developed societies.
What is the probability of a country transitioning to democracy if its GDP per capita is above $6000?
6 times greater than the probability of becoming dictatorial.
What is the relationship between economic elites and democracy in highly unequal societies?
Economic elites often block attempts at democratization.
What does the cultural modernization theory propose?
Socioeconomic development transforms societies, making them ready for democracy through cultural changes.
Name the three types of political culture identified by Almond and Verba.
- Parochial
- Subject
- Participant/civic
What is the only type of political culture compatible with democracy according to Almond and Verba?
Civic culture.
True or False: Cultural traits are fixed barriers to democracy according to the constructivist perspective.
False.
What are the implications of foreign aid on democracy?
- Foreign aid can increase government autonomy from citizen demands.
- It may prolong dictatorial rule by providing resources to maintain power.
What is the argument regarding inequality and democracy?
- Inequality provides incentives for the poor to redistribute wealth.
- It can make democracy appealing to the poor but costly to the rich.
How does the dependency on citizens with credible exit threats relate to government stability?
Governments dependent on citizens with credible exit threats are more likely to be democratic and have strong economies.
What can governments that rely on unearned income from natural resources avoid?
Raising taxes and thus reduce citizen demands for representation.
Fill in the blank: The theory that suggests societies pass through the same historical stages of economic development is called _______.
[Modernization Theory]
What role does the middle class play in democratic transitions?
Key actor and net contributor to the tax system, supporting democracy.