Lecture 5

Question 1

What is Modernization Theory

Answer 1

○ All societies develop through a series of stages
§ Immature society; mature society
□ Large agriculture -> small agriculture
□ Small industry -> large industry
□ Small service -> large service
□ Dictatorship -> democracy

Question 2

What are the series of stages in modernization theory

Answer 2

Immature society; mature society
Large agriculture -> small agriculture
Small industry -> large industry
Small service -> large service
Dictatorship -> democracy

Question 3

What is a central implication of classic modernization theory

Answer 3

there must be a strong relationship between economic development and democracy

Question 4

what is Przeworski’s survival story

Answer 4

Predicts that democracy is more likely to survive as countries develop and become wealthier but it is more likely to emerge

He found that no democracy collapsed so long as it had a per capita income higher than that of Argentina in 75

Question 5

Why does wealth help democratic survival

Answer 5

either you are guaranteed a minimal standard of consumption (democracy)

or you win or lose everything (dictatorship)

If you’re rich autocracy is a big gamble
If you’re poor autocracy is less of a gamble

Question 6

Bates and Lien argue that what structural changes occurred in early modern Europe played a crucial role in the creation of representation government

Answer 6

Peasants moved from rural to urban areas and the gentry became increasingly involved in commercial activities in the towns

Question 7

When does Democracy emerge

Answer 7

When the state is dependent

when the elites have credible tax threats

Question 8

Empirical evidence of modernization theory

Answer 8

Increases in wealth make the emergence of democracy more likely

Dictatorships that produce good economic performance are less likely to become democracies

Dictatorships that are oil producers are less likely to become democracies