Question #4
Many theories have arisen in regards to the process of the democratization of regimes. Democratization is “a process that a country complete once it transitions from authoritarian to a basic minimum democratic threshold [which is called democratic transition], or it may be a more indefinite, ongoing process that continues to consolidate even after a country has reached a basic level of political and civil freedoms [known as democratic consolidation]” (Dickovick and Eastwood 117). Some of the theories say that democracy can be achieved when the appropriate conditions are present; while other theories suggest that democracy has to be achieved organically by the society itself. The modernization theory, “traces democracy to broad …show more content…
When the surrounding nations convert democracy, a country may encounter a “demonstration effect” where they feel that “if they can do it, so can we” (Dickovick and Eastwood 128). Therefore, if the right conditions are in place, democracy will flourish. Domestic institutional theories find that “the advent and success of democracy depend on the forms of political institutions within a country” (Dickovick and Eastwood 123). These institutions are “the features of a political system that shape the behaviors of actors…[such as] organizations and groups, rules and patterns, and norms and values” (Dickovick and Eastwood 128). In order for democracy to take place, the domestic institutional theories suggests that the country would have to organically begin to break down the current system of government this is done through different channels. Their first needs to be a fragmentation of the leading power, then increased opposition at the local and state levels, then the elections have to become increasingly competitive, and finally, the public needs to recognize the current governments inability to provide necessary services. At this point, a new party must step up to fix the current institutions problems that plague the nation at …show more content…
According to Comparative Politics, democracy is defined as “a political system in which certain individual rights are respected, elections are periodically held, and political transitions are peaceful” (Dickovick and Eastwood). These three main factors are found in most, if not all, democracies throughout the world. For the purpose of comparative study, one may look at a nation to determine whether or not the country truly encompasses democracy by comparing it to the operational definition of democracy. The United States, one of the most known democracies, has not always fit into this definition. Before the Voting Rights Act of 1965, minorities were forced to jump through hoops that prevented many from voting in elections; a clear violation of the 15th amendment, which gave people the right to vote regardless of a person’s race color or creed. In regards to the second factor, elections are periodically held, the United States has strict guidelines, that are outlined in our Constitution, which provide a specific timeline for when elections should be held, ensuring that a single party does not take control over the U.S. for longer than it should. A peaceful transition of power is a key element necessary in all forms of democracy. The U.S. exemplifies peaceful transitions of power whenever an election is held. Replacement of one political party
Many theories have arisen in regards to the process of the democratization of regimes. Democratization is “a process that a country complete once it transitions from authoritarian to a basic minimum democratic threshold [which is called democratic transition], or it may be a more indefinite, ongoing process that continues to consolidate even after a country has reached a basic level of political and civil freedoms [known as democratic consolidation]” (Dickovick and Eastwood 117). Some of the theories say that democracy can be achieved when the appropriate conditions are present; while other theories suggest that democracy has to be achieved organically by the society itself. The modernization theory, “traces democracy to broad …show more content…
When the surrounding nations convert democracy, a country may encounter a “demonstration effect” where they feel that “if they can do it, so can we” (Dickovick and Eastwood 128). Therefore, if the right conditions are in place, democracy will flourish. Domestic institutional theories find that “the advent and success of democracy depend on the forms of political institutions within a country” (Dickovick and Eastwood 123). These institutions are “the features of a political system that shape the behaviors of actors…[such as] organizations and groups, rules and patterns, and norms and values” (Dickovick and Eastwood 128). In order for democracy to take place, the domestic institutional theories suggests that the country would have to organically begin to break down the current system of government this is done through different channels. Their first needs to be a fragmentation of the leading power, then increased opposition at the local and state levels, then the elections have to become increasingly competitive, and finally, the public needs to recognize the current governments inability to provide necessary services. At this point, a new party must step up to fix the current institutions problems that plague the nation at …show more content…
According to Comparative Politics, democracy is defined as “a political system in which certain individual rights are respected, elections are periodically held, and political transitions are peaceful” (Dickovick and Eastwood). These three main factors are found in most, if not all, democracies throughout the world. For the purpose of comparative study, one may look at a nation to determine whether or not the country truly encompasses democracy by comparing it to the operational definition of democracy. The United States, one of the most known democracies, has not always fit into this definition. Before the Voting Rights Act of 1965, minorities were forced to jump through hoops that prevented many from voting in elections; a clear violation of the 15th amendment, which gave people the right to vote regardless of a person’s race color or creed. In regards to the second factor, elections are periodically held, the United States has strict guidelines, that are outlined in our Constitution, which provide a specific timeline for when elections should be held, ensuring that a single party does not take control over the U.S. for longer than it should. A peaceful transition of power is a key element necessary in all forms of democracy. The U.S. exemplifies peaceful transitions of power whenever an election is held. Replacement of one political party