Lecture 4 ‘State Building & Democratization’

Question 1

what are the three waves of democratization and when?

Answer 1

First democratic wave (1828-1926)
Second democratic wave (1943-1962)
Third democratic wave (1974-2011)

Question 2

what happened in the 3rd democratic wave?

Answer 2

Third wave was sparked by economic crisis of the 1980’s, showed that authoritarian regimes were not performing anymore (Africa, Latin America).
In the third wave most transitions were in former Communist countries.
Arab Spring 2010-2013: hope for democratic transition but only few successes

Question 3

what are the two types of democratic definitions?

Answer 3

Procedural definition
Substantive definition(s)

Question 4

what is Procedural definition(s) of democracy?

Answer 4

Transparency and fairness of elections.
Behaviour of government officials.

Question 5

what is Substantive definition of democracy?

Answer 5

Vibrant civil society, no other features that are incompatible with democracy.
Fair and just government policy outcomes.

Question 6

what are the 4 types of democracies?

Answer 6

Electoral democracies
Semi-democracies
Liberal democracies
Substantive democracies

Question 7

what is Electoral democracy?

Answer 7

Political system that holds fair, contested elections on a regular basis, with universal suffrage and public access of major political parties through the media and through generally open political campaigning.

Question 8

what is Semi-democracies?

Answer 8

Relatively fair and free elections, however, regular suppression of civil liberties. there is also inadequate mechanisms to hold elected officials accountable.

Question 9

what is Liberal democracies?

Answer 9

Most leading officials are elected, universal suffrage, elections are free and fair, opposition candidates have a fair chance of being elected to important offices and civil rights are respected (freedom of speech, free assembly, free press and freedom of religion).

Question 10

what is Substantive democracies?

Answer 10

Real democracy requires not only fair procedures and respect for civil liberties, but also FAIR and JUST policy outcomes! E.g. equal rights to quality education for all classes in society + rule of law and vigorous civil society.

Question 11

what are the 3 Prerequisites of democracy?

Answer 11

SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC MODERNIZATION
CLASS STRUCTURE.
POLITICAL CULTURE.

Question 12

what does SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC MODERNIZATION contribute?

Answer 12

Strong correlation between: the extent of a country’s mass communications and its degree of democracy. Higher levels of literacy and education also correlate strongly with democracy, just as, albeit to a lesser extent, a country’s GDP.

Question 13

what does the class structure contribute?

Answer 13

Economic development only supports stable democracy if it induces appropriate changes in the class structure. A large and vibrant middle class is necessary, just as an independent and influential business class; Organized labour that is politically potent and pushes for increased social justice.

Question 14

what does political culture contribute?

Answer 14

Cultural beliefs, norms, and values relating to its politics. There needs to be a belief that the vote and/or other forms of participation are important and potentially productive. Other values such as tolerance also play an important role. Influence of religion?

Question 15

what is the curse of oil wealth?

Answer 15

Almost all oil rich countries have been unable to democratize

Oil wealth is often controlled by the government, that grows stronger and maintains a vast network of military and political strength and patronage networks

Private firms are heavily dependent on the state for licenses, credit etc. so no middle class develops

State can lower taxes and provide subsidized food and housing etc. turning the population into clients rather than citizens

Question 16

what does Democratic Transition and Consolidation entail?

Answer 16

Democratic transition refers to the authoritarian regimes who are losing power. However less than 50% of the countries actually ‘consolidate to democracy.’ Consolidate refers to democracy being deeply ingrained within society.

Question 17

how to improve democracy?

Answer 17

Participation
Competition
Accountability
Rule of Law
Civil Liberties & Freedom
Less Inequalities
Responsiveness

Question 18

what are Justifications for authoritarian rule?

Answer 18

“The country is not sufficiently economically/socially developed to sustain democracy”
“Mass political participation could exceed government capacity to accommodate all new political demands”
“Authoritarian rule needed in order to jumpstart the economy and modernization”
“Democracy in ethnically diverse countries could spark tribalism and polarize the country”

Question 19

what are elements of state building?

Answer 19

functioning state, representative government, healthy economy, fair justice system, efficient policy forces.

Question 20

what are Challenges to State Formation in Developing Countries?

Answer 20

State not always completely pacified.

Institutions have been imposed from outside, are not native to the country.

‘Weak States’  Governments lack effective means to implement policies.

Ethnic diversity makes it hard to identify with ‘national’ institutions.

External (military) interference (Cold War, Iraq, Afghanistan).

Underdeveloped tax- monopoly, weak fiscal basis.

Question 21

facts about Afghanistan and main problems?

Answer 21

Facts
- Ethnic diversity, with some opposing each other. - Fragile country.

• Different regimes that dominate areas
• Drug/Trade situation. - Outside interventions

Question 22

what are the Challenges for state building in Afghanistan?

Answer 22

• Patronage.
• Dynamic of inclusion and exclusion.
• Political economy: political leaders have influence on the economy, e.g., drugs.

Nature of state building effort
- Coherence was unclear of the mission, as well as not aligned policies.