Democratic Consolidation Research Articles

INCLUSION OF PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION IN THE BRAZILIAN CONSTITUTION: REFLECTIONS ON FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND GUARANTEES

The Constitution of the Federative Republic of Brazil of 1988, known as the Constitution of the Federative Republic of Brazil, represents a milestone in Brazilian legal and political history, establishing a wide range of fundamental rights and guarantees. This article aims, first, to analyze such rights and guarantees, discussing their importance and implications for the protection of human dignity and the consolidation of Brazilian democracy. Then, the intersection between fundamental rights and guarantees and the protection of personal data, the General Data Protection Law and Constitutional Amendment No. 115 was made. The methodological approach used was based on a review of the legal literature and constitutional provisions. Finally, it is concluded that Constitutional Amendment No. 115/2022 is a crucial step in strengthening the right to the protection of personal data in Brazil, aligning itself with international trends and reaffirming the country's commitment to defending the privacy and dignity of its citizens. With this change, the Federal Constitution begins to reflect more clearly and directly the importance of protecting personal data, establishing a solid constitutional basis for the development and application of public policies and regulations related to the topic.

Democratisation in Southern Europe: a contingent or inevitable process?

ABSTRACT Debates on democratisation often struggle to reconcile structural and agency approaches. Structural explanations highlight factors like economic development, natural resources, inequality, and international power shifts. Agency-based explanations focus on the choices of political actors, including elites and social movements, and their interactions leading to democracy. This study compares Greece, Portugal, and Spain, harmonising these perspectives. Structural and agency forces are not contradictory when temporal scope conditions are clearly defined. Despite differing democratisation paths, Southern European countries experienced rapid modernisation, and political, social, and economic convergence during the consolidation phase. Modernisation favoured liberal democracy and democratic consolidation through varied events and actor combinations. Our analysis underscores the importance of considering both structural and agency-based factors in understanding democratisation processes.

The Impact of Transactional Politics on Papuan Ethnic Identity Politics in the Dynamics of the 2024 General Election in Manokwari Regency

The objective of this study is to investigate the perspectives of the Papuan ethnic group regarding the dynamics of identity politics in general elections, which frequently encompass aspirations related to identity politics. The term "Papuan ethnicity" refers to an identity within Papuan nationalism, symbolizing the mobilization and unification of Papuans. In the context of elections, the notion of Papuan ethnicity becomes a significant issue for electoral candidates, particularly for those who lack support from their fellow Papuans. Utilizing qualitative research methods and ethnographic approaches, this study explores the impact of transactional politics on the ethnic perspectives and political participation of Papuans during elections. It examines various factors, including the influence of political funding on voter preferences, the mobilization of ethnic groups for political backing, and the dynamics of inter-ethnic interactions within political disputes. The findings of this research aim to provide an in-depth understanding of the patterns of political aspirations in Papua and their implications for the consolidation of democracy in Indonesia.Keywords: identity politics, political aspirations, Papuan ethnicity, general elections

Education and Democratic Consolidation: A Report on Early Results

This article reports on the early results of a research project examining the interplay between education and democratic consolidation, with a particular focus on how this relationship is significantly influenced by a country’s economic status. It addresses a gap in the literature by investigating the role of education across diverse economic contexts, challenging the prevailing notion that education uniformly promotes democratic stability. This study replicates and extends Milan Svolik’s research, which concentrated on economic factors. By analyzing data from 98 countries between 1950 and 2008, the study demonstrates that transitional democracies face a higher risk of authoritarian reversal compared to their consolidated counterparts. The findings suggest that while education generally benefits democracy, its impact is more pronounced in transitional democracies, steering them toward democratic stabilization and progress. Moreover, the democratizing effect of education is even more potent in transitional democracies with low economic development. This pattern underscores the critical role of education as a strategic asset for reinforcing democratic stability in economically diverse contexts and advocates for targeted educational policies in transitional democracies that are most susceptible to authoritarian regression.

POWER OF EDUCATION IN SHAPING DEMOCRATIC CITIZENSHIP AND GOOD GOVERNANCE

Education is a fundamental pillar in the establishment and sustenance of democratic societies. This study explores the intricate relationship between education, democratic citizenship, and good governance. By examining various educational frameworks and their impact on civic engagement, political awareness, and governance quality, the research underscores the transformative power of education in fostering democratic principles. The analysis is grounded in theoretical perspectives and empirical evidence drawn from diverse contexts. It highlights how education promotes critical thinking, informed decision-making, and active participation in democratic processes. Moreover, the study delves into the role of education in cultivating a sense of civic responsibility and ethical governance among citizens. Key findings reveal that comprehensive educational systems that emphasize civic education, human rights, and democratic values significantly contribute to the development of informed and engaged citizens. Such citizens are more likely to demand accountability, transparency, and ethical behavior from their leaders, thereby enhancing governance quality. The study also addresses challenges such as educational inequality and access disparities that hinder the full realization of education’s potential in democratic consolidation. Policy recommendations are offered to strengthen educational strategies that support democratic citizenship and good governance.

Whose democratization matters? Understanding the effects of regime change on normative changes in ASEAN

AbstractThis article aims to elucidate the varying effects of democratization in ASEAN members on the normative changes in the core principles of the “ASEAN Way.” Utilizing a regional-centric approach that emphasizes ASEAN members’ agency, the article posits that two critical variables shape the changing trajectory of ASEAN norms: ASEAN members' democratic performances and their regional status. While an ASEAN member’s democratic performance influences its willingness to advocate for normative changes, its regional status is also crucial in determining its capability to implement changes by navigating the divergent interests among ASEAN members. Only the ASEAN member with a high-quality democratic performance at home and recognized regional leadership can effectively bring about normative changes to ASEAN norms. Otherwise, either the domestic democratic deficit or a lack of leadership status will hinder the ASEAN members’ efforts to promote normative changes. Using the process-tracing method, the article empirically focuses on the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia for comparative case studies. The findings reveal that the Philippines’ poor democratic performance since the democratic restoration in 1986 has hindered its motivation to push for normative changes in ASEAN, rendering the Philippines a reluctant promoter. Although Thailand has made notable achievements in democratic consolidation since the downfall of junta rule in 1992, its lack of regional leadership has greatly limited its capability to reconcile the divergent interests among ASEAN members, resulting in the failure of its “flexible engagement” initiative. Conversely, Indonesia, with a high-quality democratic performance at home and bolstered by its regional leadership status, successfully brought significant changes to ASEAN norms by facilitating the ASEAN Charter signed in 2007.

The perils to democratic consolidation: citizens’ opinion on the army and support for democracy

The perils to democratic consolidation: citizens’ opinion on the army and support for democracy

Teaching civics for sustainability in post-authoritarian order: The challenges of developing progressive citizenship in new democracies – Lessons from Poland

Civics courses have a great significance – they are supposed to train new cohorts of citizens to engage in multiple public roles in (democratic) society. How it is done depends on a multitude of factors, and teachers’ performance and program contents are among the most important. In post-authoritarian order like Poland, civic contents of educational curricula acquire particular significance: they must lay foundation for new forms of citizenship necessary for the consolidation of democracy. In new democracies, defining development is a lot more than talking about economic or political formulas. Ideas of sustainable development belong in a package of ideas which may anchor people in progressive world order, yet they meet resistance from the traditions and mindsets inherited from the previous system (homo sovieticus). SDG Civics, that is, that part of the catalogue of Sustainable Development Goals which directly refers to political agency, becomes a set of patchwork ideas incorporated into democratic citizenship. Through the study of academic curricula, textbooks, and government policies, this paper addresses the complexity of the problem of civics education in new democracies. It sees sustainable development as a concept wrestling with pressures coming from different ideologies, institutions, actors, and visions of the future. This article should be seen as a contribution to the discussions about the political nature of sustainability.

Lived Poverty and the Fate of African Democracies

In comparative politics, economic development is a requisite to democracy (Lipset, 1959). Democracy is deemed to fail in less developed countries as poverty has proven to be detrimental to democratic performance. This study offers a perspective on the effects of poverty on the fate of democracy in Africa. Models are estimated for the Poverty-Democracy linkages using variables derived from merged Afrobarometer survey data (2002-2018). The results indicate that poverty in Africa has a mixed effect on democracy more generally. In particular, the analysis indicates that the experience of poverty, which we have termed ‘lived poverty’, has a negative effect on demand and supply of democracy as well as on a number of attributes of political participation. The fact that the poor demand democracy less than the well-to-do while at the same time perceiving limited supply of democracy, in our view explains why more African regimes are consolidating as hybrid regimes instead of moving towards democratic consolidation

A Comparative Study of Democracy in Greece, Spain, and Korea from the Perspective of Transitology - An Exploratory Study on the Correlation Between Consolidation of Democracy and Measures of Transitional Justice

A Comparative Study of Democracy in Greece, Spain, and Korea from the Perspective of Transitology - An Exploratory Study on the Correlation Between Consolidation of Democracy and Measures of Transitional Justice

Assessment of Challenges of Governance and Democratic Consolidation in Lesotho, 1993-2022

Assessment of Challenges of Governance and Democratic Consolidation in Lesotho, 1993-2022

Challenges and Triumphs of Democratisation in Mongolia

The major socio-political change in Mongolia was the change of political system from one-party socialist to multi-party democracy in 1990s. The political liberalisation of ideas- the change of economic system, inauguration of the new constitution in 1992 and the first ever free parliamentary elections are the key features of the Mongolia’s Democratic revolution. The importance of researching democratic consolidation in Mongolia can be underscored in several keyways. Firstly, Mongolia serves as an exemplary case of a nation that has transitioned positively towards democracy in a global landscape where democracy often remains an outlier rather than the norm. From the events that Mongolia had to overcome and the knowledge that was gained, there is much to learn on how democratisation processes could be maintained in transitional societies. Qualitative research approach is fitting for this study since it enables the researcher to gain an insight into subjective experiences as well as perceptions of those who are either involved in or affected by a democratic transition in Mongolia. Findings of this research highlights Mongolia's democratisation process both possibilities as well as difficulties involved. Mongolia has done fairly well in terms of institutionalising democracy, but numerous challenges are still persistent which require continuous attention and concerted efforts being made towards addressing them. By introducing strategic reforms, endorsing comprehensive development, fostering transparency culture and nurturing a sense of accountability within state institutions Mongolia can reinforce further consolidation of its democratic gains.

The Ecclesiastical Impact: Exploring the Role of Christian Church in Democracy Development in Nigeria

This research investigates the multifaceted role of Christian church in the development and consolidation of democracy in Nigeria. Through a comprehensive analysis of scholarly literature, empirical data, and case studies, the study aims to elucidate the various dimensions of the church's influence on democratic processes, institutions, and norms in the Nigerian context. Specifically, the research will examine how Christian churches contribute to promoting democratic values, civic education, moral leadership, peace-building, social welfare initiatives, and political engagement. By employing a mixed-methods approach, including qualitative interviews, surveys, and content analysis of church statements and activities, the study seeks to provide empirical evidence and theoretical insights into the mechanisms through which the church impacts democracy development in Nigeria. The findings of this research will have implications for understanding the complex dynamics of religion and politics in Nigeria and inform policy and practices aimed at strengthening democratic governance and pluralism in the country.

CONJUNCTURES OF DEMOCRACY EROSION

The paper aims to examine and understand the recent developments in Brazilian democracy in a sociological perspective. It offers an analysis of the conjunctural preconditions for the recent rise of authoritarian populism, presenting ways in which Brazil can be viewed as paradigm of democratic erosion and/or resilience. The article describes the foundational premises that made the development of contemporary democracies possible, and it proceeds from this description to explain how features common to authoritarian populist movements in Brazil and elsewhere are detrimental to these premises. It is argued that democracies are likely to thrive when welfare provisions and access to human rights are open to increasing sectors of the population, generating an inclusionary citizenship effect. The political polarization regarding the Brazilian welfare system and the discourse against international human rights, culminated in the weakening of the Brazilian welfare net and setbacks in the recognition of human rights by courts. These processes preceded, and were aggravated by, the rise of authoritarian populism in Brazil, generating an exclusionary view of citizenship that tended to intensify social conflict, with increasing militarization at both governmental and social levels. Arguably, the absence of warfare or an imminent warfare threat in the most recent democratic transition in Brazil reduced the capacity of welfare and constitutional human rights provisions to limit the influence of the military on democracy. While the efforts to build up the welfare system and protect human rights are still ongoing, the militarization element remains latent, posing a constant threat to democratic consolidation in Brazil.

Democratic Consolidation An Indonesian Unity Perspective

Democratic Consolidation An Indonesian Unity Perspective

Where Are the Sore Losers? Competitive Authoritarianism, Incumbent Defeat, and Electoral Trust in Zambia's 2021 Election.

How do electoral turnovers shape citizen perceptions of election quality in competitive authoritarian regimes? We argue that electoral outcomes are crucial for determining perceptions of electoral quality. While detailed evaluation of electoral trust is complex in competitive autocracies with institutional uncertainty and polarized electoral environments, turnovers send strong and unequivocal signals about election quality. Previous literature has noted a strong partisan divide in electoral trust in competitive authoritarian regimes, but turnovers can boost trust among both incumbent and opposition supporters. We test this argument in the case of Zambia's 2021 election, a case where a ruling party lost despite electoral manipulation and strong control over the Election Management Body (EMB). Empirically, we leverage the first-ever panel survey carried out during Zambian elections. Comparing trust in elections before and after the election, we find that perceived election quality increased after the 2021 electoral turnover among both losers and winners. We find that trust in elections increased the most among winning opposition supporters. Moreover, despite the outgoing president's attempt to portray the election as fraudulent, losing ruling-party supporters also increased their trust in elections after the turnover. The study has important implications for the literature on democratic consolidation and institutional trust.

Social Media and Political Propaganda: A double-edged Sword for Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria

Social Media and Political Propaganda: A double-edged Sword for Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria

Navigating Hybrid Governance

The governing balance between civilian regime and military leadership has become an important aspect of governance in Pakistan. When military and civilian life are pragmatically in touch with each other, both become an asset, otherwise, they are an aggressor to each other. It is their integration that ensures the convergence of their goals and directions as well as values and ideologies, as both depend on each other. This not only leads to the consolidation of democracy but also fulfills the effective civilian oversight over the military. For this, an efficient governing structure can keep in check the state’s civil-military equation and ensure that the incidence of military intervention or influence is minimized. The theoretical and structural construction of this integration and ideological alignment is particularly relevant to civil-military interaction under the National Security Committee (NSC) in Pakistan. This paper analyzes the civil-military relations in Pakistan under two different models i.e., ‘control theory’ and ‘convergence theory’ to bring a new perspective to the analysis of the topic. The paper begins with a brief review of both theoretical frameworks, followed by the history of civil-military relations under military rule, civilian setup, and NSC governance in Pakistan. The paper then looks into the case of hybrid governance under the NSC in line with the tenets of the 1973 Constitution of Pakistan. It suggests that far-reaching national strategic concerns and governing balance issues can be addressed under NSC, which is currently not being utilized to its full potential; instead it should function as a regular forum of dialogue and consultation, and not as an irregular decision-making entity. A consistently functional consultative NSC can help diffuse the ideological differences between civil and military elements of governance, creating more prospects of integration and decreasing chances of outright interference , as postulated by Janowitz in the convergence theory.

Political Parties: Builders and Destroyers of Ghana’s Drive to Democratic Consolidation

Despite a very checkered political history, Ghana’s Fourth Republic has so far performed relatively better, surviving through eight election cycles. Though political parties are objects of massive supports in Ghana’s drive to democratic consolidation, nevertheless, questions have been raised about the ways in which parties operate in practice. Through the use of concurrent mixed methods design, the study examined the view that Ghanaian political parties are not agents of democracy due to some irresponsible and self-interested actions they usually pursue. The study found that Ghana has made significant progress towards democratic consolidation partly because political parties actively perform the functions of voter mobilization and forming the government. However, despite the strong support for multiparty democracy from Ghanaians, their hopes and expectations have proved illusionary due to persistent poverty and socio-economic inequalities. This has the potential to disempower the poor majority and make democracy the property of few wealthy politicians. Additionally, policy discontinuity and the activities of political vigilantism championed by political parties were identified as notable threats to Ghana’s democratic gains. The study recommended that both the intrinsic and instrumentalist approaches to politics are critical for democratic consolidation and maturity in Ghana.

Female political discourse in the Albanian parliament in democracy and communism

This study delves into the transformation of women’s political discourse in Albania amidst significant political and technological shifts in recent decades. Its objective is to systematize the understanding of women’s political discourse within the Albanian parliament, examining its evolution across various historical-political periods and the influence of modern information processes in democratic Albania. Utilizing theoretical methodologies, the research scrutinizes political discourse as a dynamic facet of political communication, with a particular focus on its gender dimensions and its impact on political engagement. The analysis spans several eras: the communist regime, the initial formation of democracy, and the current democratic consolidation phase. It employs a comparative approach to highlight distinct and common features of women’s political discourse across these periods. The study identifies contemporary challenges in female political communication within the Albanian parliament and proposes strategies for their improvement, emphasizing the need to enhance the role of women in Albania’s socio-political sphere. Key lexemes indicative of different historical and political contexts are analyzed to understand the influence of regime shifts on political discourse. The study differentiates between the concepts of political discourse and political communication, offering nuanced insights into these areas. This material reveals the intersection of political, social, and cultural changes in Albania as seen through women’s political discourse. It demonstrates how shifts in political regimes and societal norms have redefined political communication, particularly for women, highlighting their growing involvement and impact in Albania’s political arena. The conclusions provide a comprehensive view of Albania’s evolving socio-political landscape, underlining the increasing significance of women in shaping the nation’s future.