DEMOCRATIZATIO

N
 Outline:

• Democratization
• Democratic Consolidation
• Quality of Democracy
• Case Studies
> Russia
> Nigeria
> Philippines
 Democratization

The process through which a political

system becomes democratic. The outcome
may be consolidated or may face frequent
reversals.
 Democratic Consolidation

The widespread acceptance of democracy

as the permanent form of political activity;
all significant political elites and their
followers accept democratic rules and are
confident everyone else does as well.
 Quality of Democracy

Weak political institutions and civil society

Not only weak institutions but also

inappropriate ones can harm new
democracies and create semi-authoritarian
regimes.
Case Studies
Russia, Nigeria, Philippines
 Country Transition
Russia Initially to democracy with
weak institutions, then to
semi-authoritarian regime
Nigeria Led by civil society; electoral
democracy, but with
dominant party system
Philippines Marcos’ dictatorship under
Martial Law (1972-1981) to
democracy in 1986
Consolidation Quality of Democracy Freedom House Rating in 2013
  Weak legislature and  
  parties in 1990s; not a  
None democracy since 2000 5.5
- “not free”
Tension over Electoral fraud and  
regional, ethnic, and corruption, but 4.5
religious political strengthened judiciary - “partly free”
rivalries, but civilian and limits on
control of the presidential power
military
Elite politics that Elections are open and 3.0
perpetuates competitive, citizen - “partly free”
patronage politics activism is robust and
demonstrations are
common
Russia Transition: Initially to
democracy with weak
institutions, then to semi-
authoritarian regime

Consolidation: None

Quality of Democracy: Weak

legislature and parties in 1990s;
not a democracy since 2000

Freedom House Rating in 2013:

5.5 - “not free”
 Transition: Led by civil society;
electoral democracy, but with
dominant party system
Nigeria
Consolidation: Tension over
regional, ethnic, and religious
political rivalries, but civilian
control of the military

Quality of Democracy: Electoral

fraud and corruption, but
strengthened judiciary and limits
on presidential power
 
Freedom House Rating in 2013:
4.5 - “partly free”
 Transition: Marcos’ dictatorship
Philippines under Martial Law (1972-
1981) to democracy in 1986

Consolidation: Elite politics that

perpetuates patronage politics

Quality of Democracy: Elections

are open and competitive, citizen
activism is robust and
demonstrations are common

Freedom House Rating in 2013:

3.0 - “partly free”