Lecture 4 Economic Development, Growth and Equality Flashcards
What are the three big economic aspects of democratisation?
Economic development, economic growth, and economic inequality.
How can being rich or poor affect democratic transitions according to modernisation theory?
As countries get richer, the middle class grows, leading to more free time for education and political engagement, which can create pressure for democratisation.
Who are the main proponents of modernisation theory?
Lipset and Przeworski et al.
What is the sequencing idea in modernisation theory?
Countries need to become rich first and can democratise after.
What is the contrasting theory to modernisation theory regarding economic development and democratisation?
The theory of authoritarian capitalism.
Who supports the theory of authoritarian capitalism?
Scholars like Foa.
What does the theory of authoritarian capitalism claim? (Foa)
Countries can be rich and stable autocracies at the same time, and economic development is a regime-neutral stabiliser.
What evidence supports the theory of authoritarian capitalism?
Cases like China, Singapore, and Rwanda.
How does poverty affect democratic transitions?
Poor countries are more vulnerable to instability, and poverty can trigger protest and regime change.
How can being rich affect democratic consolidation?
A rich democratic state can provide public services and a better quality of life, leading to support for the current regime.
What is the effect of economic crises on democracies and autocracies according to Svolik?
Economic crises create instability for both democracies and autocracies, making economic crises a regime-neutral destabiliser.
When are transitions to democracy more likely to occur?
After an economic crisis, due to protests and shifting support of the elites.
Give an example of a transition to democracy following an economic crisis.
Indonesia or the Arab Spring.
What is the theory of class structure regarding economic inequality and democratisation?
Economic inequality increases the stability of an authoritarian regime, as societies with a small elite and a large lower class are easier to dominate.
What does the theory of relative deprivation and mobilisation state about economic inequality?
Economic inequality increases instability in both democratic and authoritarian regimes, leading to relative deprivation and mobilisation, resulting in regime change.
