Re-rethinking prospects for democratization : a new toolbox
Document type: report
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Abstract:
This working paper deals with the concepts of democracy, democratization, and democracy promotion/assistance in relation to each other. The main goal of the paper is to reveal those factors that are most relevant considering prospects for democratization in general - that is, those factors that have a strong positive or negative influence on the realization of democratization. These factors are inserted into a model, which can be used as a toolbox in order to analyze prospects for democratization in specific cases. First, an overview of global democratization during the last two decades will be given. Thereafter, the concepts of democracy and democratization will be outlined and clarified, using different existing theories. The second section of this paper analyzes assumptions surrounding both concepts; the reasons why democratization is seen as a desired phenomenon and the obstacles in the way of the process are discussed. After an outline of the structure-agency debate regarding democratization has been given, the model is introduced.
Authors:
Vries, S. de
Series Title:
Knowledge Programme Civil Society in West Asia Working Paper
Category:
Research
Serial number:
15
ISSN:
2210-3473
Keywords:
civil society
,
democratisation
Language:
eng
Organization:
Hivos – Humanist Institute for Development Cooperation
Organization:
University of Amsterdam. Department of Political Science. Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research (AISSR)
PAGE:
34
Place:
The Hague [etc.]
Publisher:
Hivos [etc.]
Year:
2010
Right:
© 2010 Hivos & University of Amsterdam
Subject:
Social and Political Change
Title:
Re-rethinking prospects for democratization : a new toolbox