Democratization Test

State

(1) The organization that maintains a monopoly of force over a given territory; (2) a set of political institutions that generates and executes policy regarding freedom and equality

Sovereignty

The ability of a state to carry out actions and policies within a territory independently of external actors and internal rivals

Regime

The fundamental rules and norms of politics, embodying long-term goals regarding individual freedom and collective equality, where power should reside, and how it should be used

Government

The leadership or elite in charge of running the state

legitimacy

a value whereby an institution is accepted by the public as right and proper, thus giving it authority and power

Nation

A group that desires self-government through an independent state

Civil Society

Organizations outside of the state that help people define and advance their own interests

Rule of Law

A system in which all individuals and groups, including those in government, are subject to the law, irrespective of their power or authority

Civil Rights

Individual rights regarding equality that are created by the constitution and the political regime

Civil Liberties

Individual rights regarding freedom that are created by the constitution and the political regime

Institutions

stable, long lasting organizations that help to turn political ideas into policy

Coercion

A ruler/s impose authority. Controls through a monopoly of power. Security is through domination (Authoritarian rule)

Political Rights

the rights guaranteeing a citizen's ability to participate in politics, including the right to vote and the right to hold an elected office

Democratic responsiveness

electoral competition and free participation induce governments to do what citizens want them to do

What is democratization?

Transformation from a non-democratic state to a democratic state.

What is a consolidated, liberal, substantive democracy?

They have Competitive Elections, Civil Liberties, and Rule of Law

What is the difference between a procedural and substantive democracy?

Substantive democracy has regular, free, and fair competitive elections with a real possibility that the current government may be defeated. Contrasts with procedural which has democratic procedures in place with universal suffrage but significant restrictions (rule of law, not free, not fair). This limits opposition from being able to win.

Direct Democracy

The Public participates directly in policy making and governance. Think California Propositions or national referendums (votes by the people on specific policies)

Indirect Democracy

Think representative government. Voting for representatives who vote for you. (People vote for senators who vote and pass laws)

Parliamentary Model

Indirectly elected Prime Minister (PM)

Prime Minister is typically the head of the majority party or party with the most votes (Coalition gov't form if no majority)- not directly elected.

Is often times part of a legislative body as well. (Fusion of Power- weaker checks and balances)

Is the Head of Government

Cabinet generally comes from the legislature and majority party

Can be removed by a vote of no confidence or electoral process

Presidential model

Directly elected president (except in US)

Is the Head of State and Head of Government

Serves a fixed term

Presidential systems typically include separation of powers and robust checks and balances.

Cabinet selected by President, unelected

Divided Gov't possible

Removal by impeachment (separate branch)

Semi-presidential

Directly elected president

Indirectly elected (appointed) Prime Minister

President is Head of State (ceremonial)

PM is Head of Government (actual policies and power)

Single Member Districts

winner take all, pluralities, loser gets nothing, pushes for a two party system

Proportional Representation

seats are allocated based on % of votes earned, supports multi-party systems (wackadoodle parties)

Empirical vs. Normative

Empirical data is fact-based information from observation or experimentation

Whereas Normative statements are value/opinion statements about the way this should or ought to be.

Correlation vs. Causation

Correlation exists when there is an association between two variables - Ice Cream sales and shootings

Causations is when the association between two variables is caused by a particular thing

The Comparative Model- By using this method we can study and see how different system(cases) can be organized and create different outcomes that we may or may want.

Explain the spectrum of regime types: Consolidated/substantive/liberal democracy to Authoritarian.

Consolidated/substantive/liberal democracy --> competitive authoritarianism --> authoritarianism

What standards does Freedom House use to measure democratization of a particular country?

Based on 25 indicators from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and two main categories of political rights and civil liberties. Assesses electoral process, political pluralism, freedom of expression and belief, rule of law, and personal autonomy

Explain the continuum from Free to Partly Free to Authoritarian.

free: free and fair elections, political pluralism, functioning government, civil liberties, rule of law, and economic freedom

partly free: limitations on civil liberties, but it has free and fair elections

Authoritarian: severe lack of political and civil liberties, widespread government surveillance, compromised rule of law, use of violence to suppress and maintain control

illiberal democracy

States that have elections but roll back civil liberties protections

Mixed/Hybrid Regimes

- have some characteristics of democracy and authoritarianism (partly free)

- Caused by populism (people will it)

- corrupt, weak rule of law, lack of civil liberties, weak competition

Why have we seen a rise in competitive authoritarianism?

- strong democratic countries are not taking action to stop weaker countries from transitioning into authoritarian states

- Western faces undemocratic character pushing Russia and China to step in as heroes promoting their ideologies

- Democracy has fewer alternatives which keeps competitive electoral systems afloat

- countries with weak democratic character use competitive elections

- elections are used to maintain in power in totalitarian states and weak states

civil liberties vs. political rights

Civil liberties are fundamental personal freedoms, like speech or religion, protected from government interference, whereas political rights are entitlements that allow citizens to participate in the political process, such as voting and running for office

Components of rule of law

independent judiciary, judicial review, "no one is above the law", transparency in law-making

Corruption Perception Index

a measure, produced by Transparency International, to show how corrupt the public sector of a country is, based on judgements by experts

What are some of the preconditions that can help promote democratic development?

- Modernization theory: When countries modernize they develop economically, become better educated, demise of old power structures, gender equality, etc.

- alternative systems collapse (communism devolved)

- international pressure through linkage institutions (EU, NATO)

- spread and growth of civil society (technology and social media)

- Constitutional liberalism: civil liberties/rights, rule of law

What are some obstacles countries must overcome to start the democratization process?

"Democracy can not put down roots in stoney ground" -Francis Fukuyama

EX.- US "Nation Building" in Iraq and Afghanistan

What contributed factors to the most recent, or "third wave", rise of democratization?

economic growth and modernization and collapse of soviet union

In what ways can the international community prohibit or impose democracy?

Impose: International connected organizations (EU, NATO, UN), military intervention

Prohibit: supporting authoritarian regimes due to trade and economic agreements

How and why does economic development help promote democratization? Modernization theory

leading to increased wealth, industrialization, urbanization, and education, which in turn cultivate a larger middle class with greater political engagement

In what ways can economic development hinder democratization? (Think Authoritarian Capitalism, state-capitalism.)

Oil states in the Middle East strengthen power through economic means. Elites can stand in way with no incentive to limit their power

What role do non-state actors, such as MNC’s and NGO’s, play in de/stabilizing nation-states?

exploit or cause state failure, operating as proxies for foreign governments and undermining state authority through parallel governance or violent paramilitary activities

What is "strategic coordination" and what are "coordinating goods"? What role do they play in promoting democracy?

Strategic coordination: the coordinated activities of political movements and actors, including sharing information, recruiting leaders, and strategizing to achieve shared goals

Coordinating goods: civil liberties, civil rights, rule of law

empower citizens to make informed choices and hold leaders accountable strengthening democratic process

What are some obstacles to democratic development?

-Not willing to change

-Country must have a highly developed economy

- Social and cultural divide and unrest (national/ethnic conflicts)

Personalistic authoritarian states

Russia and the "charismatic" legitimacy of Putin

Single Party authoritarian state

China and the Communist Party

Religious (theocratic) authoritarian state

The islamic republic of Iran

Military authoritarian state

Power is held by military leaders, typically established through a coup or during times of crisis to restore order

Identify methods that authoritarians use to roll back democracy and impose more authoritarian reforms

Ban independent media, restrict speech of non-state outlets/journalists, outlaw political pluralism, no free and fair elections, unchecked corruption, no transparency, restrict education

How Democracies Die- explain the 4 criteria used to say democracies are in danger

1. Rejection of (or weak commitment to) democratic rules of the game

2. Denial of legitimacy of political opponents

3. Toleration or encouragement of violence

4. Readiness to curtail civil liberties of opponents, including media

What is Populism?

positions "the people" against "the elite"

Why is populism a threat to Democracy?

undermines institutions like the courts and free press, erodes minority rights by pitting "the people" against perceived enemies, and polarizes societies through divisive "us vs. them" rhetoric.