1.4 Democratization

democratization

the transition from an authoritarian regime to a democratic regime; while this process can start or temporarily change direction, the process aims to result in the follow over time. Democratization results in free and fair elections; increased citizen participation in policy-making processes; universal suffrage for adult citizens; greater governmental transparency; protected civil rights and liberties; equal treatment of citizens; and establishment of the rule of independent election commissions

independent election commissions

organization free from political interference that oversee elections to reduce voter fraud and manipulation

suffrage

the right to vote

corportist system

government created and supported interest groups that become the government’s preferred linkage institution for citizen participation

pluralist system

citizens can affiliate with more independent interest group to attempt to shape public policies

patron-clientelism

system in which state provides benefits or favors in return for support

democratic electoral systems

can accommodate ethnic diversity and increase multiparty competition with rule adjustments, including gender or cultural quotes, proportional representation, and changes in vote thresholds and district boundaries

gender quotes

intended to increase female participation in legislatures

democratic consolidation

process by which a democratic regime matures in terms of election rules, separation of powers, and protection of civil liberties, making it unlikely to revert to authoritarianism without an external shock

consensual political culture

general agreement among competing cultural and political groups about governmental policies associated with democratization and economic development

conflictual political culture

competing cultural and political groups