Section 1) b iii. Main findings of Teorell and Democracy

Main idea

Teorell measures democracy using a numerical scale, then examines how countries' democracy scores change over time

Teorell numerical democracy index

Teorell combines established democracy indicators from Freedom House and Polity to construct a democracy measure on a 0–10 scale

• 0 = fully authoritarian

• 10 = fully democratic

• Scores between 0 and 10 indicate different degrees of democracy

Four ways Teorell analyzes democracy

1) general democratization

2) upturns

3) downturns

4) long-run

general democratization

Overall changes in a country's level of democracy, considering both improvements and declines

upturns

Increases in democracy scores — movement toward democracy

downturns

Decreases in democracy scores — movement toward authoritarianism

long-run

The longer-term effect of a determinant on a country's democracy level

Why does Teorell distinguish them?

A factor that encourages democratization might not prevent democratic breakdown

This distinction allows him to determine whether a factor helps countries become more democratic, helps prevent democratic decline, or affects their long-term level of democracy