week 3 - nondemocratic states and promotions of democracy Flashcards
non democratic state
A small group of individuals or a single individual controls the state
what are some characteristics of non demoncratic state
Leaders do not have to answer to the public and the public has little or no role in selecting leaders.
No free and fair elections.
Individual freedom is restricted, usually some element of authoritarianism in the state.
which theory of wealth and democracy has more support
modernization theory; because
- increases in wealth make it more likely that a country will become democratic.
- increases in wealth make it more likely that a country will stay democratic
what did robert putnam find with his Italy study
that civic culture predicted good
democratic performance
dictators
individuals who are elected and slowly remove democracy
personal rule
Monarchs (family ties) or Dictators (who seize or consolidate power)
military rule
Usually comes about through coup d’etat, in which the military takes the government by force.
one party rule
A single party monopolizes politics (and other parties are banned from power).
why might people not revolt against nondemocratic regimes
They might be poor and cannot devote energy to political action.
There might be cultures or people that prefer nondemocratic government.
Those who might wish to revolt are dissuaded from doing so because the state monitors it people and they could be punished for resistance.
what are the ways non democratic states rule
coercion and surveillance
cooptation
personality cults
totalitarianism
coercion and surveillance
Compelling individuals into compliance by threatening harm through loss of job, torture or death
cooptation
Making individuals dependent on the regime by having important services be state sponsored.
Providing services in return for support such as vote-buying and property rights.
personality cults
using emotional or religious appeal to legitimize your rule
totalitarianism
The most extreme type of nondemocratic rule that aims to control every aspect of a country
modernization theory
This theory states all countries pass through the same historical stages of economic development.
it believes that as countries develop economically, they are more likely to become and remain democratic.
what is the rival theory to the modernization theory
survival story
survival story
predicts that democracy is more likely to survive as countries develop and become wealthier, but it is not more likely to emerge
it believes the transition to democracy is independent of wealth
cultural determinants of democracy
Perhaps it is culture, rather than the economy, that shapes the likelihood that countries will become or stay democratic (such as civic culture and some religions might be more palatable to democracy).
civic culture
Popularized by Robert Putnam; Some political scientists argue that only a ‘civic culture’ is compatible with democracy.
in a civic culture, individuals
Believe that they can influence political decisions (political efficacy).
Feel positive toward the political system.
Believe their compatriots are trustworthy.
Prefer gradual over revolutionary societal change.
religion and democracy
Huntington argues that most world religions are not compatible with democracy.
Lipset argues that Protestant culture emphasizes democratic values.
Both Lipset and Huntington argue that Catholicism is antithetical to democracy.
what is every majority protestant country
democratic
why aim for the promotion of democracy
moral reasons: we care about the rights of people in other countries
economic reasons: democracies trade more
security reasons: democratic countries are less likely to go to war with each other
what are the two ways democracy can be promoted
hard and soft power
examples of soft power
assistance (aid given to countries)
incentives and conditionalities (resources and services that promote democracy given to countries)
examples of hard power
sanctions (Punishing countries because they did not implement democratic values or institutions)
military intervention
what type of power is more and least likely to work well for democracy promotion
assistance - more likely (positive effect on democratization)
military intervention - least likely
