Lecture 11: International actors Flashcards
Who are the main international actors influencing democratization?
States, international organizations (UN, EU, NATO), non-state actors (NGOs, advocacy groups), and multinational corporations.
How can international actors influence democratization?
Through diplomatic pressure, economic sanctions, military interventions, democracy aid, and cultural exchanges. However, influence can backfire and be seen as neocolonialism.
How has colonial occupation influenced democratization?
Mixed evidence: some pre-independence institutions supported democracy (e.g., parliamentary systems), but many colonies suffered from conflict legacies, border disputes, weak rule of law, and underdevelopment.
What are the advantages of military interventions for democratization?
Can remove authoritarian regimes, introduce democratic institutions, and provide security for democratic transitions.
Example: Post-WWII Germany and Japan. (Geddes, Wright & Frantz, 2014)
What are the disadvantages of military interventions for democratization?
Can lead to instability, resistance from local populations, and long-term foreign dependence.
Examples of failures: Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan. (Geddes, Wright & Frantz, 2014)
What is linkage in democratization?
The density of a country’s ties to Western-led institutions (EU, US, NATO, international media). Higher linkage increases exposure to democratic norms and international pressure.
(Levitsky & Way, 2005)
What is leverage in democratization?
A government’s vulnerability to external pressure, such as economic sanctions, diplomatic pressure, or military intervention. Leverage works best when authoritarian states are economically and militarily weak.
(Levitsky & Way, 2005)
How does linkage promote democratization?
Linkage increases international visibility of government abuses, strengthens domestic pro-democracy movements, and integrates democratic norms into society. It shapes the domestic balance of power by connecting activists to international support.
(Levitsky & Way, 2005)
How does leverage promote democratization?
Leverage raises the costs of repression and electoral fraud by threatening sanctions, diplomatic isolation, and economic consequences. However, it is less effective without strong linkage.
(Levitsky & Way, 2005)
Why is linkage more effective than leverage in democratization?
Linkage fosters internal change by empowering local pro-democracy actors, whereas leverage relies on external pressure, which may not be sustainable.
(Levitsky & Way, 2005)
Can linkage and leverage also promote autocracy?
Yes, authoritarian states use economic, geopolitical, and social ties to reinforce autocratic norms, suppress opposition, and counter Western influence.
Examples: China’s Belt and Road Initiative, Russia’s support for illiberal governments. (Levitsky & Way, 2005)
What is democracy aid?
Financial and technical support for democratic institutions, civil society, elections, and human rights. It has increased from 2% of development aid during the Cold War to around 14% today.
(Scott & Carter, 2019; Gafuri, 2021)
What are the advantages of democracy aid?
Strengthens electoral institutions, supports civil society, and promotes human rights. It is particularly effective when invested in stable, long-term projects.
(Finkel et al., 2018)
What are the disadvantages of democracy aid?
Can be politically motivated, may provoke resistance from authoritarian governments, and effectiveness depends on local context.
(Finkel et al., 2018)
Which countries receive the most democracy aid?
In total: Afghanistan, Iraq, Colombia, Mexico, DR Congo.
Per capita: Solomon Islands, Kosovo, Vanuatu, East Timor, Tuvalu, Palestine.
(Gafuri, 2022)
When is democracy aid most effective?
1) When security aid is low.
2) In hybrid regimes (neither fully democratic nor fully autocratic).
3) When the country is not experiencing democratic backsliding.
4) In ethnically homogeneous societies.
(Finkel et al., 2018)
What is autocracy promotion?
Efforts by authoritarian states to strengthen autocratic norms, prevent democratization, and shape international institutions to be regime-neutral.
(Way, 2016; Nathan, 2015)
What are the six ways autocracies promote authoritarianism?
1) Setting an example (modeling autocracy).
2) Promoting prestige through soft power.
3) Sharing governance techniques (authoritarian diffusion).
4) Rolling back democratic gains in their spheres of influence.
5) Supporting autocratic allies.
6) Reshaping international institutions to be neutral.
(Way, 2016; Nathan, 2015)
Examples of autocracy promotion?
- Russia’s support for illiberal leaders in Hungary and Belarus.
- China’s surveillance technology exports to authoritarian states.
- Gulf states’ funding of anti-democratic movements.
(Way, 2016; Nathan, 2015)
