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Popular Politics and the Path to Durable Democracy
A groundbreaking account of how prolonged grassroots mobilization lays the foundations for durable democratization
When protests swept through the Middle East at the height of the Arab Spring, the world appeared to be on the verge of a wave of democratization. Yet with the failure of many of these uprisings, it has become clearer than ever that the path to democracy is strewn with obstacles. Mohammad Ali Kadivar examines the conditions leading to the success or failure of democratization, shedding vital new light on how prodemocracy mobilization affects the fate of new democracies.
Drawing on a wealth of new evidence, Kadivar shows how the longest episodes of prodemocracy protest give rise to the most durable new democracies. He analyzes more than one hundred democratic transitions in eighty countries between 1950 and 2010, showing how more robust democracies emerge from lengthier periods of unarmed mobilization. Kadivar then analyzes five case studies--South Africa, Poland, Pakistan, Egypt, and Tunisia--to investigate the underlying mechanisms. He finds that organization building during the years of struggle develops the leadership needed for lasting democratization and strengthens civil society after dictatorship.
Popular Politics and the Path to Durable Democracy challenges the prevailing wisdom in American foreign policy that democratization can be achieved through military or coercive interventions, revealing how lasting change arises from sustained, nonviolent grassroots mobilization.
When protests swept through the Middle East at the height of the Arab Spring, the world appeared to be on the verge of a wave of democratization. Yet with the failure of many of these uprisings, it has become clearer than ever that the path to democracy is strewn with obstacles. Mohammad Ali Kadivar examines the conditions leading to the success or failure of democratization, shedding vital new light on how prodemocracy mobilization affects the fate of new democracies.
Drawing on a wealth of new evidence, Kadivar shows how the longest episodes of prodemocracy protest give rise to the most durable new democracies. He analyzes more than one hundred democratic transitions in eighty countries between 1950 and 2010, showing how more robust democracies emerge from lengthier periods of unarmed mobilization. Kadivar then analyzes five case studies--South Africa, Poland, Pakistan, Egypt, and Tunisia--to investigate the underlying mechanisms. He finds that organization building during the years of struggle develops the leadership needed for lasting democratization and strengthens civil society after dictatorship.
Popular Politics and the Path to Durable Democracy challenges the prevailing wisdom in American foreign policy that democratization can be achieved through military or coercive interventions, revealing how lasting change arises from sustained, nonviolent grassroots mobilization.
192 pages, Paperback
Published November 22, 2022
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April 19, 2025
Popular Politics and the Path to Durable Democracy offers a thorough examination of the relationship between grassroots mobilization and the durability of democracy. Kadivar argues that democracies that emerge from sustained, popular movements are more likely to endure, drawing on case studies from countries like South Africa, Poland, and Tunisia. The book presents a well-researched and detailed account of democratic transitions, making it a valuable resource for those interested in comparative politics and democratization.
However, while Kadivar’s focus on nonviolent, popular mobilization is insightful, the book feels somewhat limited in scope. The heavy emphasis on civil society and popular movements neglects other crucial factors that shape democratic consolidation, such as economic conditions or international influences. Additionally, the dense, academic writing may alienate general readers and make the book less accessible to those without a background in political sociology.
In comparison to works like A History of the World in Seven Cheap Things by Patel and Moore, which provide a broader critique of global systems, Popular Politics tends to focus more narrowly on the mechanics of democratization. While both books examine power structures, Patel and Moore offer a more holistic, systemic critique of capitalism and its role in global crises, whereas Kadivar’s focus remains firmly on the micro-level political dynamics of democratic transitions.
Overall, Popular Politics is a solid contribution to the field, but its narrow focus and academic tone may not appeal to a wider audience. For a more comprehensive understanding of democracy's global challenges, works like those of Patel and Moore may offer more expansive frameworks.
However, while Kadivar’s focus on nonviolent, popular mobilization is insightful, the book feels somewhat limited in scope. The heavy emphasis on civil society and popular movements neglects other crucial factors that shape democratic consolidation, such as economic conditions or international influences. Additionally, the dense, academic writing may alienate general readers and make the book less accessible to those without a background in political sociology.
In comparison to works like A History of the World in Seven Cheap Things by Patel and Moore, which provide a broader critique of global systems, Popular Politics tends to focus more narrowly on the mechanics of democratization. While both books examine power structures, Patel and Moore offer a more holistic, systemic critique of capitalism and its role in global crises, whereas Kadivar’s focus remains firmly on the micro-level political dynamics of democratic transitions.
Overall, Popular Politics is a solid contribution to the field, but its narrow focus and academic tone may not appeal to a wider audience. For a more comprehensive understanding of democracy's global challenges, works like those of Patel and Moore may offer more expansive frameworks.
Displaying 1 of 1 review