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 Research Themes
This paper aims to compare and contrast the theoretical foundations of democratization theories—specifically those emphasizing structural determinants versus those focusing on agency—and to assess their effectiveness in explaining democratization during the "third wave."
- Comparison of structural and agency-based democratization theories.
- Analysis of the "third wave of democratization" as a historical phenomenon.
- Evaluation of key theoretical approaches, including strategic, social forces, and economic perspectives.
- Critical examination of the "agency-structure" problem in political science.
- Assessment of the applicability of these theories to diverse global case studies.
Excerpt from the Book
2. Theory
Different scholars will have different concepts and definitions of what a democracy is. One could define democracy through Joseph A. Schumpeter’s minimalist democracy or with more demanding standards as liberal democracy in Guillermo O’Donnell’s definition (Møller and Skaaning 2013:43-44). In this paper the word “democracy” will be used according to Schumpeter’s minimalist definition:
“the democratic method is that institutional arrangement for arriving at political decisions in which individuals acquire the power to decide by means of a competitive struggle for the people’s vote.” (Møller and Skaaning 2013:31).
I will come back to why I will use this definition under “Third wave of democratization”.
Democratization can be defined as “…one form of regime change.” (Teorell 2010:31). Further Teorell (2010:32) adds “…the process through which countries become more democratic.”. Teorell’s definition is closely linked to Samuel P. Huntington’s understanding of democratization; “…transitions from non-democratic regimes to democratic regimes…” (Møller and Skaaning 2013:65).
The process of democratization is in no way an commonly agreed upon process in regards to the theory. This conflict is called the “agency-structure” problem (Møller and Skaaning 2013:155).
Today most can agree that there has been established two dominant theory directions; a theory that emphasize structural determinations (structural view) and a view that focus on agents (agency theory) (Møller and Skaaning 2013:155). The two directions can be seen as extremes on either end of a scale. This means that the theories presented does not only have elements of structure or agent in it, but a mix of both with one theory dominating.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter outlines the research aim to compare structural and agency-based theories of democratization and their explanatory power regarding the third wave.
2. Theory: This section provides essential definitions of democracy and democratization and introduces the core tension between structural determinants and actor-centered (agency) theories.
3. Discussion: This chapter critically compares the theoretical foundations and assesses how well each perspective accounts for the empirical realities of democratization during the third wave.
4. Conclusion: This chapter summarizes that neither approach fully explains democratization and suggests that an iterative, combined framework is necessary for a more accurate understanding.
Keywords
Democratization, Agency, Structure, Third Wave, Political Elites, Schumpeter, Modernization Theory, Social Forces, Economic Approach, Regime Change, Class-Struggle, Institutional Development, Transition Theory, Democracy, Actor-centered Theories.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the academic debate between structural and agency-based theories of democratization and how they apply to the "third wave" of democratization.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
The core themes include economic development, elite negotiations, class-struggle, institutional prerequisites, and the tension between structural conditions and human agency.
What is the main research question?
The primary goal is to compare the theoretical foundations of these perspectives and assess their potential for explaining why and how democratization occurred during the third wave.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The author uses a literature-based comparative analysis, synthesizing existing political science theories and empirical studies to evaluate their explanatory utility.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body examines the structural view (modernization), agency theory (strategic, social forces, and economic approaches), and concludes with a discussion on their limitations in explaining the third wave.
Which keywords best describe the paper?
The paper is best defined by terms such as democratization, agency, structure, third wave, and regime change.
How does the author define democracy?
The author adopts Joseph A. Schumpeter’s minimalist definition, focusing on institutional arrangements for political decision-making through competitive elections.
Does the author suggest that one theory is superior?
No, the author concludes that neither structural nor agency theories are sufficient alone, advocating instead for an iterative approach that combines both perspectives.
- Quote paper
- Aleksander Bjelland Koldingsnes (Author), 2014, Democratization Theories and the Third Wave of Democracy, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/300720
