democracy & autocracy

regime definition (S&S)

the general form of government of a state, including its constitution and rules of government

origin of the word democracy

Ancient Greek - demos (people) kratos (rule)
= rule of the people

2 views on democracy explained

1. democracy as a regime type
2. democracy as a question of degree - an attribute of regimes

key criterion of electoral democracy (definition)

political leaders are chosen by free and fair elections
--> if elections CAN be lost, democracy exists
--> most common MINIMAL definition of democracy

democracy as a regime attribute meaning

consider how an ideal democracy would look like to decide whether regimes are democratic

3 potential aspects of democracy as a regime attribute

1. civil rights and liberties
2. participation
3. political equality

autocracy definition

used here synonymous with authoritarian regime
--> identified as an ABSENCE of democracy
--> can be considered opposite pole of democracy on a continuum or a its own discrete regime type

4 types of factors explaining democratization

1. "structural" arguments
2. legacy of previous authoritarian regime
3. institutions
4. international context

2 trends of democracy/democratization

1. often waves of democracy, like in 1910s, 1940s, 1990s
2. very much subject to the operationalization of the concept - varying definitions + indicators used

difference between consolidation and transition

consolidation requires more than transition - arguably requires a certain consensus/culture
--> factors explaining transition and factors explaining consolidation can be different

impact of wealth on democracy stability

wealthy democracies rarely fall (+ vice versa) - gives output legitimacy & satisfaction

2 views on democracy under threat

1. threats often come from within the political system in recent decades
2. democracies are backsliding - qualities associated with democracy are deteriorating

5 varieties of authoritarian regimes

1. monarchy
2. military
3. one-party
4. personalistic
5. theocracy