Democracies and war

What is a democracy?

• Democracy is a political system where candidates run for political office through frequent, free and fair elections where every person over a certain age is able to vote.

  • Liberal democracy: In addition, protection of civil and political rights, such as free speech, religion, political association and free press.

What is the democratic peace theory?

• The democratic peace theory argues that democracies do not fight wars between each other and democracies rarely fight wars between one another. 

Main mechanisms 

• Selection Effect: Democratic leaders more selective about starting wars where they are willing only when chances of victory are quite high

• Better Fighters: They have a better moral, they can raise more money, and they rarely fight alone

Main challenges

• Role of women’s suffrage

  • Women’s Suffrage: The right of women to vote

  • initiate fewer disputes and experience more peaceful relations with other suffrage democracies