SLIDES: Democratic Backsliding and Recession

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to democratic backsliding and recession.

Democratic Backsliding

A state-led debilitation or elimination of political institutions that sustain democracy.

Erosion

The gradual decline of norms, institutions, and practices associated with modern democratic governance.

Third Wave of Democracy

The period of democratic expansion from 1974, characterized by growth of democracies around the world.

Drivers of Recession (Diamond)

Factors contributing to democratic breakdown, including declining quality of democracy and rising authoritarianism.

Breakdowns of Democracy (2000-2014)

Incidents of democratic decline in various countries characterized by military coups and executive degradation.

Democratic Recession

The perceived decline in the quality and number of democracies globally.

Political Rights

Entitlements that allow individuals participation in the civil and political life of society.

Civil Liberties

Basic rights and freedoms that are guaranteed, such as freedom of speech and religion.

Executive Aggrandizement

When executive powers become more concentrated, undermining democratic controls.

Promissory Coups

Military interventions justified by the promise to restore democracy.

Misperception of Democratic Recession

Misunderstanding the signs of democratic challenges, often conflating them with democratization.

Classic Forms of Democratic Breakdown

Forms of democratic decline including military coups, executive coups, and fraudulent elections.

Factors Influencing Democratic Survival

Economic development, political competition, and the sequence of power transitions.

Backsliding Periods

Timeframes in which democracies regress in terms of political rights and civil liberties.