Democratization

by Christian Haerpfer (Editor), Ronald Inglehart (Editor), Patrick Bernhagen (Editor)

Democratization is the first textbook to focus on the "global wave of democratization" that has been occurring since around 1970. Bringing together leading authors from diverse international backgrounds, it introduces students to the theoretical and practical dimensions of the subject in an
authoritative, accessible, and systematic way. The book takes into account the international factors that affect politics at the level of the nation state, showing students the direction in which the discipline is moving. It is accompanied by an innovative companion website that provides numerous
resources for students and instructors.

Democratization covers several key themes

* Theories of democratization and their relation to democratic theory
* Critical prerequisites and driving social forces of democratic transition
* Pivotal actors and institutions involved in democratization
* Conditions for democratic survival, the consolidation of newly democratized countries, and the analysis of failed democratization
* Demonstrations of how these factors have played a role in the different regions in which the global wave of democratization has transplaced authoritarian and communist systems
* Possible futures of democratization worldwide

Genres: Politics, Political Science, Social Science, History, Nonfiction

456 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 2008

Reviews

[Monica]

I've read this book from cover to cover, and although interesting and densely informative, as in all anthologies there is a certain amount of repetition. For me, being fairly new in the field of political science, reading variations on a number of themes does have a point! Even academic writing is under the influence of personal style and language and naturally, some contributors appealed more to me than others.

[Read a Book]

The authors present an exhaustive work on the process of democratization. Rich in history, context, and frequent admission of the complexity of the field.

[Felix Borchgrevink Haave]

A very important book about democratization, why it works in Western Europe and not in, say the Middle East (with the exception of Israel).