Democracy Flashcards
Democratic Regime
Set of institutions that allow the citizens to choose the makers of policy in free, competitive elections.
Procedural Democracy
At a minimum, countries with free and fair elections for the real policymakers and eligibility of all adults.
Substantive Democracy
Political rights and civil liberties beyond a procedural democracy.
Democratization
Transformation process from a nondemocratic regime to a procedural democracy to a substantive democracy
Three Waves of Democratization
First wave in late 19th Century that started with demands from increasingly educated and urbanized citizens.
Several collapsed due to Great Depression on Nazi Germany.
Second wave after Allied victory of WWII and breakup of colonial empires in Africa, Asia, and Caribbean.
Several failed or were overthrown.
Third wave starting in late 1970s which started in Southern Europe, spread through Latin America and Asia and accelerated with the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Preconditions of Democracy
None, but two influence the likelihood of democracy: level of economic development and international environment of democracy.
International Environment of Democracy
Powerful states may prohibit or impose democracy. Success of other democracies may affect democracy’s prestige. The prospect of joining other democratic states may also provide incentives
(EU, etc.)
Authoritarian Breakdown
Poor economic performance and leadership struggles.
Democratization from Above
Electoral competition and political freedoms introduced by current rulers.
Democratization from Below
Democratic reforms pressed rapidly by mass demonstrations from democratically inclined citizens.
Military Dictatorships
Military leadership held in place by unified strength of armed forces.
Personalistic Authoritarian Regimes
Leadership held together by personality and alliances of the individual leader, his/her family, and sometimes their tribe/clan.
Single Party Authoritarian Regimes
Political organization, penetration of the society, and unifying set of beliefs that make it possible to recruit ambitious and talented people into the party and crush opposition.
(e.g. Soviet Union and Mexico PRI)
Democratic Consolidation
Stable political system in which all major actors seeking political influence accept democratic competition, citizen participation, and the rule of law.
Military Coup
Overthrow of civilian leadership by the military
Executive Coup
Curtailment of freedoms by government leaders
(e.g. “State of Emergency.”)
Illiberal, Electoral, or Partial Democracies
Democratic regimes with authoritarian elements to distinguish them from free, substantive democracies.
Authoritarian Regime
Concentration of power in one or more people who are not constitutionally responsible to the people. May or may not allow social and economic institutions not under the control of the government. Tend to rely on passive mass acceptance rather than popular support.
Rule of Law
Political philosophy that all citizens and institutions within a country, state, or community are accountable to the same laws, including lawmakers and leaders.
Nation
A body of people united by common descent, history, culture, or language inhabiting a particular country or territory
OR
A body of people who make up an imagined, limited, or sovereign community
National Consciousness
Sense of collective identity, unit, and bonding between people in a
particular country – see themselves as part of a group
Nationalism
Identification with and support for one’s country (often at detriment of other nations)
Imagined Community
Individuals trust that the rest of their community is present and similar to the people they have already met
Government
Governing body of a nation, state, or community
