This book is a thorough investigation into the requisites of democracy. Based on data from 132 sovereign states of the Third World, it first establishes a scale to measure the level of democracy existing in these countries. The author discusses various interpretations of the meaning of political democracy, and emerges with a specification of its essential elements which includes such elements as the holding of elections to central decision-making organs, and the maintenance of certain fundamental political liberties. Theories concerning the requisites of democracy are then examined in order to explain the manifest differences in the level of democracy among the states of the Third World. The author employs statistical techniques including regression analysis to test theories related to socio-economic conditions, demographic and cultural factors, and institutional arrangements. This book thus provides a wide-ranging examination both of the elements which constitute democracy, and of the factors which explain its varying prevalence. This Book Is A Thorough Investigation Into The Requisites Of Democracy. Based On Data From All 132 Sovereign States Of The Third World, It First Establishes A Scale To Measure The Level Of Democracy Existing In These Countries. The Author Discusses Various Interpretations Of The Meaning Of Political Democracy, And Emerges With A Specification Of Its Essential Principles Which Includes Such Elements As The Holding Of Elections To Central Decision-making Organs, And The Maintenance Of Certain Fundamental Political Liberties. Theories Concerning The Requisites Of Democratic Government Are Then Examined In Order To Explain The Manifest Differences In The Level Of Democracy Among The States Of The Third World. The Author Employs Statistical Techniques Including Regression Analysis To Test Theories Related To Socio-economic Conditions, Demographic And Cultural Factors, And Institutional Arrangements. This Book Thus Provides A Uniquely Wide-ranging Examination Both Of The Elements Which Constitute Democracy, And Of The Factors Which Explain Its Varying Prevalence.--book Jacket. By Axel Hadenius. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. This book is a uniquely wide-ranging study of the meaning of democracy and the factors which determine its level. Drawing on data from all 132 sovereign states of the Third World, it first specifies the essential elements of democracy (the holding of elections to decision making bodies, and the maintenance of political liberties), and then tests theories suggested to explain its varying level through statistical analysis. Theories related to socio-economic conditions, demographic and cultural factors, and institutional arrangements are explored in a cross-national perspective.
This book is a wide-ranging study of the meaning of democracy and the factors which determine its level.
