DEMOCRACY : WAVES OF DEMOCRATISATION

PSCI 2210 SEM 1, 2015/2016 SECTION 1 & 2

WHAT IS IT ? A group of transitions from non-democratic

regime to democratic regimes that occur within a period of time and that significantly outnumber transitions in the opposite directions.

Note : Not every transitions of democracy occur at the same time

Each wave is followed by a reverse wave. What is reverse wave ?

When democratic transitions is reversed, whole or part – democratic become less democratic

(illiberal democracy) or authoritarian

FIRST WAVE : 1828-1926 Note : First reverse wave : 1922-1942 First wave, democratisation : 33

countries adopted universal suffrage by secret ballot

The start : United States of America, roughly about 1828.

What is the indicator of the first wave ? Universal suffrage.

….. 1828 : Abolition of property

qualifications boosted over 50% of proportion of white males in voting in 1828 presidential election.

1919 – suffrage is extended to all white males and women

Constitution of the USA : Divides power between three organs of government to prevent the abuse of power [ prevent the majority from ruling with an iron fist] through CHECK and BALANCES.

…Through check and balances, reforms

cannot be easily passed as it can be vetoed by minority. How ?

LEGISLATIVE JUDICIAL EXECUTIVE (PRESIDENT)

• Pass law over president's vetoes , can remove president from the office through impeachment

•Senate approve judges’ appointment , can impeach and remove judges from office

•Can declare presidential actions as unconstitutional

•Can declare laws unconstitutional

•Veto laws that may be passed by legislative

•President appoints judges to courts

Great Britain Expansion of franchise and power is in the Parliament.

Ruling parties retained self-control of the government through its members in the House of Commons.

Yet unlike USA- GB is unitary, no written constitution and separation of powers. Yet , GB is one of less liberal than liberal democracies (eg. USA).

Expansion of franchise in GB : 1832 - right to vote to any man owning a household

worth £10 (but not all urban areas). 1867 – all votes are granted  all householders in the

boroughs as well as lodgers who paid rent of £10 a year or more (property qualifications), target urban areas

… 1884 : uniform franchise throughout the

country, target rural areas (but with lodgers who paid rent of £10 a year)

1918 : Women, over 30, [men over 21] 1928 : Equal franchise. Women were

given franchise as the same terms of men in [Women voters : 21 yrs old]

Reversed Wave (1) [1922 – 1942] Occurred in countries that adopted

democratic forms before WW 1, where democracy and nations were new

First reverse in Italy, 1922 : Mussolini marched into Rome and took advantage of Italy’s fragile democracy. Faction-fighting, failed government (instability); Fascist leader convinced the King to appoint him as the Prime Minister “ Monarchy and Fascism could work together” .

… Military took over in Brazil and Argentina in

1930s. Hitler conquest in Germany in 1933 ended German democracy.

A military coup in 1936 led to civil war and death of Spanish republic in 1939 due to military revolts against the Republican government. General Franco took victory (Nationalist and received support from Fascist Italy ) . His oppositions were jailed and executed. He ruled Spain between 1939-1975, his death)

SECOND WAVE [1943-1962] Reverse [1958 -1972]

After ww2, imposition of democracy in West Germany, Japan and Austria

Democracy also blossomed in Latin America, post-colonial countries in Africa and Asia such as Nigeria, Malaysia, Pakistan, India, Phililippines.

In Venuezela: overthrew of military ruler in 1958. Agreements and pacts were made between elites to consolidate democracy – eg) respect elections whatever the outcomes, support democracy.

…. 1962 in Peru, military intervened to alter

results of election. How did the Allies promote democracy ?Japan : Occupation of Japan ( 1945-1952) Goal is to promote democracy. Made

reforms by drafting constitution (making it more democratic).

Example : Removal of emperor as the source of authority to symbol of state and unity of people when it replaced the word sacred with supreme.

…. New constitution also turned down the

clause that would retain traditional values such as children obligations to their parents.

Also called for general election with women as voters. 1946 general election – women were allowed to vote.

… But democratic experience, were never

took hold in these countries. For example, Malaysia’s democracy in interrupted between 1969-1971 (emergency rule).

Pakistan, democracy is abrogated in 1958. Martial law was declared. What is martial law? Suspension of ordinary law, governed by military government.

…. Led to new form of government “

bureaucratic authoritarianism” – decision-making is technocratic accompanied with repression against labour movement of parties connected with labour movements. Brazil, Chile and Uruguay

Liberal traditions weaker when parties took central role in democratic instruments.

What is consolidation of democracy ?

Huntington : The presence of two turnover tests. When two main sides has given up power to the other through election. Democracy is consolidated .

Przeworski : A particular system of institutions become the only game in time and when one can imagine acting outside the democratic institutions. A system in which parties also lose elections (not only opposition parties). If in election result when president hand over the power to those who defeated them.

THIRD WAVE [1974 - Third wave transformed the global political

scale : We see the liberalisation and promotions of democracy.

However , we also see a few of setbacks such as in the case of China 1989 – Tiananmen Square -Thousands of students and people march through the capital to Tiananmen Square, calling for a more democratic government, against Communist rulers (drew 1.2 million pple) (popular uprising).

… Among the events : The ending of right-wing

dictatorship in Southern Europe (Portugal, Greece and Spain).

In Spain : Franco died in 1975. Succeeded by the King (Gen. Franco appointed him in 1969, hoping that he would carry his autocratic rule). In 1978 - New constitution confirms Spain as a parliamentary monarchy. It was approved also approved by the citizens (Spanish) in referendum. New constitution- Head of State plays the symbolic role but PM is the key figure in politics.

First parliamentary election in 1979

… The retreat of generals in Latin America in 1970s Collapse of Soviet Union and Eastern Europe in

1980s. Final phase of European colonization : Carnation

revolution - overthrew of right-wing dictatorship and end of Portuguese empire in Africa. In 1999, it gave its last overseas territory, Macau to China.

1978 – South Africa began slow process to reduce apartheid policy and expanded political participation to non-white majorities.

… In 1990 – de Clerk resumed negotiations

with African National Congress by lifting the ban against ANC ; and Nelson Mandela was released (after 27 years in prison) – the decision allowed active opposition in the political system.

1994 – ANC won the first non-racial elections and Nelson Mandela was elected as the President.

… But in general we can see Southern Europe : consolidation of democracy Latin America and Africa : Not yet consolidated,

bring about the category of illiberal democracy (inclusive of Asia).

Now, the notion of a "transition paradigm," in which countries move from authoritarian rule toward democracy is not strong as many countries have been seen to settle into a "gray zone" of diverse forms of government where autocratic and democratic features are combined.

... WHY ?

We have competitive elections, but democratic qualities are hardly present. Example : enforcing legal restraints on states’ power (rule of law), protect civil rights, non-corrupt bureaucracies and

impose control on military.

Table 1 : Democratization in the modern world [ADAPTED : Huntington]

YEAR PERCENTAGE OF DEMOCRACTIC

STATES 1922 45.31942 19.71962 32.41973 24.61990 45.4

WHAT EXPLAIN THE CAUSES ?

In general, many countries have no tradition of individual rights or formal restraint on rulers even before the emergence of communist and military dictatorships. Those are :

1. Culture Not democratic. Leaders do not uphold rule of

law. How? No tolerance of other ethnic groups, religions and not willing to co-operate with them.

Confucian values : maintenance of order and respect for hierarchy.

… East Asian dominant party system , in

Singapore. The leader’s comments; “ A stable system is where there is a

mainstream political party representing broad range of population. Then you can have other parties at the periphery”

… 2. Middle class Favourable to democracy. Why ?

Members would seek to establish their economic security on the basis of private enterprise , rule of law and accountable government.

The rich : use their control of economy to dominate the poor, while the poor will be interested to expropriating the rich.

Both are willing to impose authoritarianism.

… 3. Economic Transform is possible with countries with

middle-income . The development of private enterprise

will “kick in” democracy. How ? When people work in this area, they want to have a say in how government treats them eg.) property laws, rights, business regulations and taxes – stimulates the growth of Middle class – does not depend on states for livelihood.