PSC 3304 Chapter Notes - Chapter 6: Modernization Theory, Gross Domestic Product, Adam Przeworski
17 Feb 2017
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Document Summary
6 - the economic determinants of democracy and dictatorship (classic modernization theory) = countries are more likely both to become democratic and to stay democratic as they develop economically. Democracy is more likely to emerge and survive in high-income countries. Criticism of classic modernization theory lacks strong causal mechanism linking national income with democracy. Potential solution: changes in the socioeconomic structure of a country that accompany economic development in the modernization process (not high income per se) promote the emergence and survival of democracy. Explains why democracies are more likely to emerge and survive in high-income countries. Explains why countries that are abundant in natural resources (oil, diamonds, minerals) tend to be dictatorships. Important insights on role of foreign aid, economic inequality and economic performance in the democratization process. How economic development and the structure of the economy influence the likelihood that a country will become and remain democratic.
