POLSC 135 1st Edition Lecture 25Outline of Last Lecture: Democratic TransitionsOutline of Current Lecture: Democratic Transitions (cont.) Current Lecture:I. Top-Down Transitions- Here democratic transitions result from a policy of liberalization on the part of the government. - This policy of liberalization is often meant to solidify the dictatorship but sometimes inadvertently leads to democracy. - Many transitions to democracy are preceded by a period of liberalization - The period of liberalization often results from a split in the authoritarian regime between “hard-liners” and “soft-liners”. - Typically the regime has come under some form of pressure due to declining economic conditions or social unrest, and the soft liners have come to prominence or power. - The soft-liners must decide whether to open the political regime through a process of liberalization or to stick with the status quo. - Liberalization entails a controlled opening of the political space that might include:- The formation of political parties- Holding elections - Writing a constitution- Opening a legislature- Establishing a judiciary and the like. - The goal of the liberalization process is to create a broadened dictatorship, not democracy. - The strategy of the leadership is either co-opting or dividing the opposition groups. These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. It is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.End
View Full Document
Unlocking...