In this paper I will compare and contrast the theoretical foundations of theories of democratization which emphasize structural determinants and theories which focus on agency, and assess their potential for explaining democratization during the third wave. To do this I will first present some background theory, before I go into a discussion and reach a conclusion. The paper is based up on literature from course syllabus for SAMPOL115 "Democracy and democratization".
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Theory
- 2.1 The structural view
- 2.2 Agency theory
- 2.2.1 The strategic view / transition theory (Teorell 2010:19-21)
- 2.2.2 Social forces tradition
- 2.2.3 Economic approach
- 2.3 Third wave of democratization
- 3. Discussion
- 3.1 Compare and contrast the theoretical foundations of these perspectives
- 3.2 Assess their potential for explaining democratization during the third wave
- 3.2.1 Structural approach
- 3.2.2 Agency approaches
- 4. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to compare and contrast theories of democratization that emphasize structural determinants versus those focusing on agency. It assesses the potential of each perspective in explaining democratization during the third wave. The paper first presents background theory before moving into a discussion and conclusion, drawing on literature from the SAMPOL115 course syllabus.
- Comparison of structural and agency theories of democratization.
- Assessment of the explanatory power of these theories regarding the third wave of democratization.
- Examination of different approaches within agency theory (strategic, social forces, economic).
- Analysis of the role of modernization in democratization.
- Discussion of the "agency-structure" problem in democratization theory.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the paper, outlining its central objective: to compare and contrast structural and agency-based theories of democratization, specifically within the context of the third wave. It establishes the scope of the analysis and clarifies the definition of democracy used throughout the paper, opting for Schumpeter's minimalist definition, emphasizing the competitive struggle for votes as the defining characteristic. The chapter also briefly previews the structure of the paper, promising a theoretical background followed by a discussion and conclusion.
2. Theory: This chapter lays the theoretical groundwork by exploring contrasting perspectives on democratization. It begins by discussing different conceptualizations of democracy, highlighting the distinction between minimalist and liberal definitions. The chapter then introduces the core dichotomy between structural and agency approaches, positioning them as two extremes on a spectrum. Structural theories, exemplified by Lipset's work linking economic development to democracy, are contrasted with agency theories, which focus on the role of actors and their choices. The chapter also details the various sub-approaches within the agency perspective, including the strategic view, the social forces tradition, and the economic approach, each with its unique emphasis on the actors and driving forces behind democratization. The interplay between these contrasting perspectives is highlighted, emphasizing the ongoing debate within democratization studies.
3. Discussion: This chapter delves into a comparative analysis of the theoretical frameworks presented earlier. It systematically compares and contrasts the theoretical foundations of structural and agency perspectives, examining their strengths and weaknesses in explaining the processes and outcomes of democratization. The chapter critically assesses the explanatory potential of each theoretical lens in understanding the unique dynamics of the third wave of democratization. This section likely involves a detailed evaluation of the empirical evidence supporting or challenging each perspective, and may offer a preliminary indication of the relative merit of each approach in explaining the specific circumstances of the third wave.
Keywords
Democratization, third wave of democratization, structural theory, agency theory, modernization theory, strategic view, social forces tradition, economic approach, regime transitions, elite interactions, class conflict, Huntington, Schumpeter, Lipset, Teorell, O'Donnell, Schmitter, Rustow, Moore, Rueschemeyer, Huber, Stephens, Boix, Acemoglu, Robinson.
Frequently Asked Questions: Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the purpose of this paper?
This paper aims to compare and contrast theories of democratization, specifically focusing on those that emphasize structural determinants versus those highlighting agency. It assesses how well each perspective explains democratization during the "third wave."
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The paper explores the comparison of structural and agency theories of democratization, assessing their explanatory power regarding the third wave. It examines different approaches within agency theory (strategic, social forces, economic), analyzes the role of modernization, and discusses the "agency-structure" problem in democratization theory.
What theoretical frameworks are discussed?
The paper contrasts structural theories (like Lipset's linking economic development to democracy) with agency theories, which focus on the role of actors and their choices. Within agency theory, it details the strategic view, the social forces tradition, and the economic approach.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper follows a clear structure: an introduction setting the stage, a theory chapter laying the theoretical groundwork, a discussion chapter comparing and contrasting the frameworks, and a concluding chapter summarizing the findings. It uses Schumpeter's minimalist definition of democracy (competitive struggle for votes).
What is the scope of the analysis?
The analysis focuses specifically on the third wave of democratization. It examines the strengths and weaknesses of different theoretical lenses in explaining the processes and outcomes of democratization during this period. The paper draws on literature from the SAMPOL115 course syllabus.
Which scholars and theories are referenced?
The paper references key scholars in democratization studies, including Huntington, Schumpeter, Lipset, Teorell, O'Donnell, Schmitter, Rustow, Moore, Rueschemeyer, Huber, Stephens, Boix, Acemoglu, and Robinson. It explores various theories such as modernization theory, strategic view, social forces tradition, and economic approach.
What is the definition of democracy used in the paper?
The paper adopts Schumpeter's minimalist definition of democracy, emphasizing the competitive struggle for votes as the defining characteristic.
What are the main chapters and their content?
The paper is structured into four chapters: an introduction outlining the objectives, a theory chapter detailing structural and agency approaches, a discussion chapter comparing and contrasting the theories' explanatory power for the third wave, and a concluding chapter summarizing the findings.
What are the key words associated with the paper?
Key words include: Democratization, third wave of democratization, structural theory, agency theory, modernization theory, strategic view, social forces tradition, economic approach, regime transitions, elite interactions, class conflict, and the names of several key scholars in the field.
- Quote paper
- Aleksander Bjelland Koldingsnes (Author), 2014, Democratization Theories and the Third Wave of Democracy, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/300720
