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1. Become familiar with evidence on relationship between democracy and:
1. Economic class balance/ structure.
2. Education.
3. Religion.
4. Political Culture.
5. Facilitating Events.
2. Assess persuasiveness of causal links.
Plan for Today:Structural Preconditions for Democracy
Class Structure
A certain balance of relations among classes is necessary.◦Esp. middle class/ bourgeoisie (Aristotle,
Moore). Argued middle class “moderate” for various
reasons – sheer numbers or position “in middle”.
Bourgeoisie crucial due to autonomous income.
◦Powerful landowning class can hinder.
Rowen’s prediction based on education growth
Predicted 74-75 “free” countries (Freedom House measures) by 2020.
Actually 87 “free” countries by those measures in 2010.
1988: 39/46 democratic countries dominant Christian
Reasons? ◦ Emphasis on autonomy and dignity of
individual? ◦ Separation between church and state?
Religion: Christianity generally?
Pre-1900: ¾ of democratic countries. Catholicism considered hindrance until 3rd
wave.
Religion: Protestantism specifically?
Pre-1960s: Catholic Church associated with powerful elites in society.◦ Mid-1960s: Church began to oppose
authoritarian regimes (“liberation theology”)◦ Influence on Brazil, Chile, Philippines, Poland
transitions.
Religion: Changes in Catholic Church
Persistent set of undemocratic countries. Possible difficulties reconciling restrictions
on participation with democratic principles.
Yet 2/3 of Muslims live in democratic regimes.
Manji: Problem is with Islamist political ideology.
Ibrahim: problem not with Islam but history and rulers on Arab peninsula.
Religion: Islamic exception?
“Civic political culture” necessary for stable democracy.
Citizens:◦ Feel competent◦ Have urge to participate◦ Are tolerant of diversity◦ Are positive towards their political institutions
Problem: causal direction between democracy and civic culture?
Almond & Verba, The Civic Culture (1963)
Authors on pro-democratic political culture
Alexis de Tocqueville: Democracy in America
Robert Putnam: Making Democracy Work “civic community” in northern Italy
Legitimacy in democracies vs. non-democracies
Performance as source of legitimacy for recent authoritarian regimes.
Legitimacy to particular government rather than procedures of regime.
Legitimacy in democracies vs. non-democracies
Democratic regimes: legitimacy of regime rules and procedures as well as current government.
Economic Crisis◦ E.g. oil crises 1973-4 and 1979
Oil-importing countries suffered. Loss of Major Military Conflict
◦ Argentina (Falklands-Malvinas)◦ Greece (Cyprus)◦ Portugal (colonial wars)◦ USSR (Afghanistan)
Facilitating Historical Events