Summary: Hc4_Thedemocraticodyssei

Read the summary and the most important questions on HC4_TheDemocraticOdyssei

• 1 Political Regimes

• 1.1 Autocracies

• What is the difference between closed and electoral autocracies regarding elections, opposition and civil liberties?

  • Closed autocracies
    
  • No competitive elections
  • No institutionalized opposition
  • No civil liberties
  • E.g.: North Korea, Saudi Arabia
  • Electoral autocracies
  • Multiparty elections, but lacking in fairness
  • Vote manipulation, intimidation, limited media freedom
  • Civil liberties are curtailed
  • E.g.: Russia

• 1.2 Democracies

• What is the biggest difference between electoral and liberal democracies?

  • Electoral democracy
    
  • Political clientelism and patronage
  • Civil liberties and checks on power may be compromised 
  • Liberal democracy
  • Rule of law
  • Civil liberties
  • Checks & balances

• 2 Democratization

• 2.1.1 Critique

• What is the main critique (3 points) against Huntingtons democratizationwaves?

  • Usage of minimalist definition of democracy
    
  • Aggregated results
  • Questionable analytical value

• 2.2 Modernization theory of democratization

• What are Boix (2003) findings on democratization and redistribution regarding elites and redistribution, and the comparison with revolution?

  • Elites fear redistribution, support autocracy to preserve wealth (oligarchs)
    
  • Income distribution less skewed at high development
  • Modest redistribution better than revolution
  • Empiricial support is modest

• 2.2.1.2 Classic modernization theory

• Bates and Lien (1985) sees the roots of modernization and thus also democratization in capital becoming more important in modern economies. Explain?

  • The state seeks to extract as much revenue as possible
    
  • Capital is more mobile than agriculture, necessitating political concessions
  • Application: Democracy in England and France

• 2.2.1.3 Resource curse

• There is a negative relationship between natural resources and democratization. We see this on the demand- as well as the supply-side. How come?

  • Demand-side
    
  • Less need to extract resources from citizens
  • Supply-side
  • Buying loyalty (e.g. Arab Spring)

• 2.2.1.4 One size fits all?

• Does economic development always precede democracy (endogenous democratizationtheory)?

  No, not necessarily, there is a changing context over time and for example the characteristics of the old regime also keep playing!

• 2.2.1.4.1 Market-dominated economies

• How gets democratization put into stance in market-dominated economies?

  • Autocracies 'negotiate' with wealthy elites;
  • Democratization happens AFTER economic development
  • Wealthy elite prefers democracy in order to have social rest, or no longer oppose democracy

• How can heavily regulated state-led economies stave off democracy?

  The economy is state-owned or heavily regulated. The regimes distribute benefits to its supporters. They can stave off democracy through economic performance, because with economic performance they can keep distributing benefits to its supporters.

• Why did state-led economies democratize after the economic crisis of the late 1970s?

  Before
  

  • High tariffs to protect local industries
  • Public spending on social programs and state jobs
  • This led to budget deficits and loans

  
  
  However
  

  • Economic crisis late 1970s = rising interest rates
  • Neoliberal reforms meant reduced governmental spending
  • More private investments
  • So: democratic reforms to reassure investors: checks on investors, ensuring private ownership ...