Democratization by Elections: A New Mode of Transition

by Staffan I. Lindberg (Editor)

Overview

Contested, multiparty elections are conventionally viewed as either an indicator of the start of democracy or a measure of its quality. In practice, the role that elections play in the transition from authoritarian rule is much more significant. Using as a starting point Guillermo O’Donnell and Phillipe C. Schmitter’s 1986 classic, Transitions from Authoritarian Rule, and Robert Dahl’s original formulation of democratization as the outcome of increasing the costs of repression while decreasing the costs of toleration, this volume subjects to critical empirical tests the thesis that repeated elections positively affect democratic rights and processes.

The first section uses global and quantitative regional studies based on new and unique data sets to present and rigorously evaluate the debate on the democratizing power of elections. The second section looks closely at specific electoral mechanisms and types of elections in Africa, post-Communist Europe and Eurasia, Latin America, the Middle East, and North Africa to uncover those that support the long-term institutionalization of a democratic transition. The concluding section develops and formalizes a theory of democratization by elections. Each chapter includes in-depth discussions of policy implications and a wealth of statistical information.

Featuring contributions by leading scholars of democracy, original research, and worldwide and country-specific data on elections and democracy, this collaborative exploration of the effect of elections on democratic transitions represents the cutting edge of comparative democratization studies.

Contributors: Jason Brownlee, Valerie J. Bunce, Larry Diamond , Axel Hadenius, Jonathan Hartlyn, Marc M. Howard, Staffan I. Lindberg, Jennifer L. McCoy, Bryon Moraski, Pippa Norris, Ellen Lust-Okar, Lise Rakner, Philip G. Roessler, Andreas Schedler, Jan Teorell, Nicolas van de Walle, Sharon L. Wolchik

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801893186
Publisher:	Johns Hopkins University Press
Publication date:	10/01/2009
Pages:	432
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.10(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Staffan I. Lindberg is an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science and the Center for African Studies at University of Florida. His work on elections received the American Political Science Association's Juan Linz Award for Best Dissertation in 2004 and won the Annual Best Graduate Paper Prize of the African Studies Association in 2003.

Table of Contents

List of Figures
List of Tables
Foreword
Preface
Introduction. Democratization by Elections: A New Mode of Transition?
Part I: The Democratizing Power of Elections: A Debate
Chapter 1. The Power of Elections in Africa Revisited
Chapter 2. The Relative Powerlessness of Elections in Latin America
Chapter 3. Elections as Levers of Democratization: A Global Inquiry
Chapter 4. Post–Cold War Political Regimes: When Do Elections Matter?
Chapter 5. Harbinger of Democracy: Competitive Elections before the End of Authoritarianism
Chapter 6. All Elections Are Not the Same: Why Power-Sharing Elections Strengthen Democratization
Part II: Determinants of the Power of Elections: Autocrats and Opposition Strategies
Chapter 7. Sources of Competition under Electoral Authoritarianism
Chapter 8. Opposition Parties and Incumbent Presidents: The New Dynamics of Electoral Competition in Africa
Chapter 9. Legislative Elections in Hegemonic Authoritarian Regimes: Competitive Clientelism and Resistance to Democratization
Chapter 10. Oppositions versus Dictators: Explaining Divergent Electoral Outcomes in Post-Communist Europe and Eurasia
Chapter 11. Judicial Complexity Empowering Opposition? Critical Elections in Armenia and Georgia
Part III: Reflections and Conclusions
Chapter 12. The Contingent Power of Authoritarian Elections
Chapter 13. A Theory of Elections as a Mode of Transition
Notes
References
Contributors
Index

Editorial Reviews

Democratization by Elections represents an important contribution to our understanding of how competitive-authoritarian regimes evolve. It is destined to become required reading for those interested in understanding contemporary political events . . . Path-breaking and persuasive.

Journal of Modern African Studies - Nic Cheeseman

Democratization by Elections represents an important contribution to our understanding of how competitive-authoritarian regimes evolve. It is destined to become required reading for those interested in understanding contemporary political events . . . Path-breaking and persuasive.
—Nic Cheeseman, Journal of Modern African Studies

From the Publisher

Democratization by Elections represents an important contribution to our understanding of how competitive-authoritarian regimes evolve. It is destined to become required reading for those interested in understanding contemporary political events... Path-breaking and persuasive.

— Nic Cheeseman

Journal of Modern African Studies