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Burnell & Randall: Politics in the Developing World 2e

Chapter 14

  1. How convincing is the argument that transition to liberal democracy is not the most likely outcome of political transition in large parts of the developing world?

  2. How do the conditions for democratic consolidation differ from the conditions that weaken authoritarian regimes and make democratic transitions possible?

  3. Is democracy the type of political regime most likely to promote the economic well-being of the people in developing countries in the long run?

  4. Do you agree that if developing countries experience economic and social improvement a universal movement towards western-style liberal democracy will then become inevitable?

  5. Does democracy in the different regions and countries of the developing world take on significant national or regional characteristics?

  6. Why do so many developing countries appear unable to move beyond limited forms of democracy such as semi-democracy or electoral democracy and consolidate the full range of civil and political liberties associated with liberal democracy?

  7. What are the limitations of liberal democracy, and are other forms of democracy more appropriate to some developing countries?

  8. Have we reached the end of the third (or fourth) wave of democratization in the developing world?

  9. How important a role have the international communications media played in the diffusion of democratic aspirations in the developing world?

  10. Does democratization necessarily bring political stability in a developing world context?

  11. Is the 'third wave' of democratization really over?

  12. Why do elections matter so much to assessments of whether a polity is a functioning democracy or not? Illustrate your answer with developing world examples.

  13. Compare and contrast the main ways that developing country democracies attempt to make their government executives politically accountable.

  14. Should we try to explain why some developing countries are not democracies if the very idea of democracy lacks universal legitimacy?

  15. 'Although Bhagwati no longer believes that developing countries face his notion of a cruel choice between democracy and development, substantial parts of the developing world behave increasingly as if they accept the logic of the cruel choice argument'. Discuss.

  16. Has the idea of 'regime change' that is bound up with the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq done irreparable damage to the cause of international democracy promotion?

  17. Are freedom and democracy the key to ending international terrorism?

  18. What should be the extent of the rights and responsibilities of regional inter-governmental organisations in the developing world to protect and promote human rights and democracy in their region?

  19. What sequencing issues are involved in establishing peace, political stability, and democracy in post-conflict societies, and does the developing world illustrate that different sequences are possible and desirable?

  20. With particular reference to developing countries, how essential are political parties to successful democratization?

  21. Does the case of India invalidate the argument that socio-economic development is a prerequisite of democratization?

  22. What does the case of Saudi Arabia tell us about obstacles to democratization?