democracy and democratisation

Democracy

A system of government in which power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through freely elected representatives.

Procedural Democracy

A system characterized by regular free and fair elections, where citizens have political rights and civil liberties.

Substantive Democracy

A form of democracy in which the outcomes of elections and the functioning of political institutions lead to a government that effectively represents the people.

Polyarchy

A term used by Robert Dahl to describe a government with a high degree of political pluralism, featuring multiple competitive political parties.

Civic Culture

A concept developed by Almond and Verba, referring to a culture that fosters democratic values such as trust, tolerance, and participation among citizens.

Economic Modernization Theory

The hypothesis that economic development leads to cultural changes that foster democracy.

Hypothesis 1 (Wealth Correlates with Democracy)

Democracy is more common in wealthy countries than in poor ones.

Hypothesis 2 (Democratic Survival)

As wealth increases, the likelihood of a transition from democracy to dictatorship decreases.

Clash of Civilisations

Samuel Huntington's theory that conflicts in the future will be primarily cultural rather than ideological or economic.

Eligibility for Voting

Requirements that individuals must meet in order to participate in elections, such as age and citizenship.

Credible Commitment Hypothesis

The idea that non-democratic elites cannot reliably commit to redistributing wealth without establishing democratic institutions.

Waves of Democratization

Periods of significant expansion of democratic governance observed in global history, as identified by Samuel Huntington.

Third Wave of Democratization

The period from 1974 to 1991 during which many countries transitioned to democracies, including parts of Europe and Latin America.

Consensus Politics

Political agreements and collaboration among different social groups, often seen in a functioning democracy.

Political Transition

The process through which a country moves from one political system to another, often involving political, economic, and social changes.

Illiberal Democracy

A governing system that may hold elections but lacks basic civil liberties and political freedoms.