Democracy Index

Section 1 1. Elections & democracy reduce the risk of violence (chap. 1) Answer: True and False Explanation: Collier found that the effect of elections and democracy on violence in poor and rich countries had radically different outcomes (Collier, 20). On one hand, this is true because the data collected confirmed that in middle-income level countries, democracy reduced the risk of political violence. On the other hand, this is false because in low-income countries democracy increases societal…

Democracy is an American and European idea that does not fit other cultures or civilizations and thus, is always imposed on other societies. Non-western countries, especially the Islamic regimes that have a different religious and cultural perspective and tolerance altogether discard the western outlook. Democracy can only ascend “organically” in a country and requires an extensive period of social, economic…

between prosperity and democracy has an enduring relationship in the subject of social sciences. Although there does exist a strong correlation, it does not necessarily mean causation. However, much of the response to the question about the relations concerning democracy and development usually depends on how one defines ‘development’. Sen (1999b) sees development as ‘freedom’ – this includes not only the economic freedom but also freedoms…

to the few, while democracy is categorized as a system of rule based on the government of the people, by the people and for the people. The principle of democracy is largely one linked to Western ideals and has indeed been at the forefront of many Western powers foreign policy objectives; to promote democratization and the corresponding benefits of democracy (Heller 485). Interestingly enough, in the last two decades, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of democracies across the…

In the 1960s, Venezuela was the poster child of democracy in Latin America. It was one of the only countries moving towards it, while other countries were falling to communism. Then Hugo Chavez ratified in a national referendum and abolished congress and the judiciary. This moved Venezuela’s political rights from 2-4, and its status under the Freedom House Index from Free to Partly Free. In 1999, Venezuela received a 4.0. This was the year Chavez spend dismantling Venezuela’s checks and balances…

What is democracy? Democracy to me means freedom. Freedom to pick and choose the lifestyle I want to lead in life. The freedom to be able to follow any religion I please and marry whoever I choose. Also the freedom to own property and choose where to live. Democracy to me also means I get to elect my own officials and I have a vote to choose who leads this great country for the next four years. Some countries are run by a dictatorship where you have no right and no votes. You are forced to live…

We know that governments are different and each of them has its own way of ruling the country, determining the politics problems it has and the ways of dealing with them. If we look back in the history we can see examples of different types of non-democratic regimes, ‘until modern times states were normally ruled by authoritarian regimes and most of these were hereditary monarchies.’ (D. Caramani, 2014, p.97) Today there are still countries that are being ruled in non-democratic ways. The…

region. Although, since the beginning, there were a few obstacles in the way of the country’s ability to grow effectively and maintain its state capacity (issues facing Brazil’s state capacity exists today, and impedes the countries consolidation for Democracy). Not to mention, the Brazilian President’s impeachment process cries out a majority of the wrong doings that are occurring in the 21st century. And due to the legacies left behind from the colonization of the Portuguese— over time, elites…

The citizens of Kashfar have lived under numerous military dictatorships in their recent history. Although recent attempts have been made at instituting democracy, all have failed and the nation remains under military rule. This failure could have stemmed from multiple areas, a misdiagnosis of what ails Kashfar, misaligned institutions, premature release from constitutional medicine, and the advertisement of western ideals and political structures upon the states. Any combination of these…

Germany, like so many other European countries, is known for its democracy and the freedom that is given to their people. A founding member of the European Union and Eurozone. Also known as the largest national economy in Europe and the fourth-largest by nominal GDP in the world. According to Freedom House’s report, the status of the German press freedom remains free. The media in Germany enjoy an editorial independence when it comes their content, the German constitution also secures their…