Democracy is a system of governance where people rule through elected representatives. There are different types of democracies like presidential and parliamentary systems. Not all democracies provide the same levels of civil liberties and rule of law. There are degrees of democracy, with some countries having more authoritarian practices. Other regime types include authoritarian, totalitarian, and sultanic governments. Multiple factors can support or hinder democracy such as a country's political culture, history, and economic development. Transitions to democracy involve a process of liberalization and consolidation over time.

1. Democracy and Regime Types 10/7/2010

2. What is Democracy? Demos=People Kratia=Rule Democracy: A system of governance where the people represent and vote for themselves.

4. Parliamentary vs Presidential Democracy Presidential: Clear separation of powers and system of checks and balances Parliamentary: Legislative Branch has greater power over other branches

5. Not all Democracies are created equal Respect for civil liberties is essential in democracies. Democratic Govt’s. respect the rule of law Judicial systems are essential to maintaining democratic freedoms.

6. Degrees of Democracy? Are we either a democracy or not, or are there degrees of democracy? Gray Zones? Are elections the only prerequisite for democracy?

8. Other Regime Types? Democratic Authoritarian Totalitarian Sultanic

9. Technical Regime Type Classification

10. Actual Freedom/Degree of Democracy

11. Authoritarianism Ruled by an elite group that uses repressive means to stay in power. The state will generally ignore the actions of an individual unless it is perceived to be a direct challenge to the state.

12. Totalitarianism The state regulates nearly every aspect of public and private behavior.

13. Sultanic All individuals, groups and institutions are permanently subject to the unpredictable and despotic intervention of the sultan.

14. What Factors are Conducive to Democracy? No magic formula Helpful factors: Political Culture, History, Economic Development, Middle Class, Civil Society. Economic Development, Education and Middle Class also help to maintain Democracy

15. Transitions to Democracy Democratization: Process of changing from previous authoritarian govt. to a democratic govt. Transition begins with liberalization Democracies become consolidated when it is the only game in town; populaton believes democracy is best type of govt.

16. How to Consolidate? 1. Easy for civil society to develop. 2. Groups and Individuals can openly and freely compete for political power. 3. Society respects and upholds the rule of law; independent judicial system. 4. Autonomous market; Individuals have right to own property

17. World Population (over time)

18. Does Democratization Occur in Waves? Samuel Huntington says Democratization occurs in waves. First wave – 1828-1926 First reverse wave – 1922-1942 Second, short wave – 1943-1962 Second reverse wave – 1958-1975 Third Wave – 1974-Present

19. When Did the US become a Democracy? 1787 1865 1920 1964

20. Female Suffrage

22. Least Free Places on Earth Myanmar North Korea Libya Somalia

23. Belarus Tibet China Cuba

24. Laos Uzbekistan Saudi Arabia Western Sahara