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DRG Learning Quarterly: DRG Primers Edition
May 2019
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Welcome to the May 2019 DRG Learning Quarterly, the newsletter that will keep you informed of new learning, evaluation and research in the Democracy, Human Rights and Governance (DRG) sector.
This edition of the Learning Quarterly features a series of eight primers developed by USAID's DRG Center to synthesize evidence on key issues, including defining democracy, democratic political culture, democratic transitions, economic and social requisites for democracy, links between economic growth and conflict, resilience of authoritarian regimes, and the benefits of democracy. These primers serve as quick references for USAID staff seeking to better integrate DRG programming into broader U.S. development work. A series of accompanying short videos is also in development. Each primer is laid out with an overview, key takeaways, and an in-depth analysis of the primer topic. Below is a summary and link to each primer.
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Overview of Democracy
There are various ways to define democracy
(USAID/DRG Primer:
"What is Democracy?"
),
but many scholars agree that it is a system of government whereby people can choose their leaders in regular, free, fair and competitive elections. A liberal democracy represents a higher standard of democracy, which typically consists of three dimensions: popular sovereignty, liberalism based on individual rights, and political equality and republicanism rooted in the rule of law and governance in the public interest.
These three dimensions are supported by the key tenets of democratic culture (USAID/DRG Primer: "Political Culture and Democracy"),
which include tolerance, compromise and belief in democratic institutions paired with a healthy skepticism towards authority. Over the past two decades, research has shown that despite cultural differences or underdevelopment, democratic values have sprung up in all corners of the globe.
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Democratic Prerequisites and Transitions
How do countries transition to democracy? In today's society, the move towards democracy
(USAID/DRG Primer:
"Democratic Transitions"
),
generally follows one of three models; transition led by the ruling party, transition led by an overthrow of the regime in power, or an agreed upon transition coordinated by multiple political parties or groups. Transitions involving non-violent, bottom-up resistance from civil society are much more likely to produce successful democracy. International assistance and influence has also benefited democratic transitions including providing successful models of democracy, diplomatic pressure, capacity building and economic support.
Some scholars also argue that countries are more likely to transition to democracy, or more likely to successfully sustain newly-formed democracies, based on certain prerequisites (USAID/DRG Primer: "Economic and Social Requisites of Democracy"), such as levels of wealth or extent of inequality. While evidence points to a positive relationship between economic development and democracy (USAID/DRG Primer: "Democracy and Economic Growth"), it is not clear that economic development leads to democratic transition. However, there is evidence that democracy promotes capacity building and the expansion of public goods and services. Additional non-economic factors that promote democratization include education levels, societal values and the capacity of civil society.
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The Persistence of Authoritarian Rule
Just as democratic regimes form and persist across cultures and contexts, so do authoritarian ones. What helps authoritarianism endure? Authoritarian states that emerged from ideological resistance tend to be durable over time, and lucrative natural resources can help to sustain authoritarian rule
(USAID/DRG Primer:
"Autocratic Resilience"
).
Similarly, electoral autocracies, or those that incorporate democratic elements such as elections but are rigged in favor of the incumbent, also tend to stay stable, especially relative to military dictatorships. Economic factors can both help and hurt authoritarian states, but, interestingly, evidence suggests that foreign aid can help reinforce autocratic rule.
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Conflict and Democracy
/Syeda Sammen
Established democracies tend not to wage war against one another (USAID/DRG Primer: "Democracy and Conflict"), although there have been numerous conflicts between democracies and non-democracies. Internally, while democracies are less prone to genocide or mass political killings, they are more prone to facing terrorism. There is also a high risk of violence when states undergo democratic transitions too quickly and without the right infrastructure in place, as well as when hybrid or illiberal democracies attempt to consolidate power by boosting nationalism.
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Why Prefer Democracy?
Democracy is a human right
(USAID/DRG Primer:
"Why Prefer Democracy?"
);
a range of global and regional institutions recognize political equality and self-determination as fundamental rights for all people. Unlike their authoritarian counterparts, democracies tend to perform well at protecting rule of law and other basic freedoms such as speech, press, organization, association and religion. Historically, corruption, inter-state war, genocide, mass murder and famine have been more common within autocracies. While some argue that economic growth is higher in democracies, the evidence is ultimately unclear. Beyond economic conditions, democracy's push for the right to political equality is vital to self-expression and freedom from repression.
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We welcome your feedback on this newsletter and on our efforts to promote the accessibility, dissemination, and utilization of DRG research. Please visit the
DRG Center's website
for additional information.
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