Democracys Relation to Development - Essay Example

February 14, Democracy’s Relation to Development (Economically) Introduction Democracy is directly related to economic development. The paper focuses on the nations’ economic development. In relation to economic development, the paper delves with the establishment of a democratic government. The major problem deals with whether economic development triggers prioritizing setting up a democratic community. The free market economy can better flourish in a democratic society. Readings First Reading (Laothiamatas) (2)Article’s main arguments Adek Laothamatas espoused economic development influenced the establishment, retention, or removal of a democratic government (Laothiamatas, 1997). In fact, Laothamatas emphasized Karl Marx affirmed economic development will surely lead to the rise of a democratic government. Marx gave as example the histories of both England and France proved that economic development brought about democracy. Marx and his loyal fans, both within the bourgeoisie class, owned property and engaged in business as capitalists and entrepreneurs. Consequently, the bourgeoisie class led to the toppling of the prior authoritarian government, a replacement transition mode (Sfsu, 2014). The toppling resulted to the creation of democratic governments. The prior government was toppled because its policies ran smack against the very grain of laissez faire or free enterprise business concepts, based on transition theories (Sfsu, 2014). Likewise, Max Weber insisted that the fall of the profitability or viability of the bourgeoisie leaders to retain the economic development led to the destruction of the German democratic government. In the same light, Moore espoused the peasants contributed to the establishment of democratic government. The philosophers had espoused economic development leads to a better political communication environment. Further, Laothamatas adhered to Mr. S M. Lipset’s emphasis that an economically developed society will trigger the people to push for the implementation of a democratic state. (3) Conclusions of the Reading The above article affirms the concept indicating economic development leads to viable democracy. M. K. Marx affirmed this concept. The bourgeoisie helped establish the economically viable democracy movements. Economic development priorities often led to free political elections within a democratic government. Second reading (Lipset) (2)Article’s main arguments The reading affirms economic development contributes to the establishment and retention of democracy (Lipset, 1959, p 75). The economic wealth or status of the nation affects the nation’s democratic aspirations. Compared to a nation that is burdened with a low or bankrupt economy, a well to do nation (rich) has a better chance of becoming a democratic state. In fact, the author explains the majority of the rich citizens of most nations from the time of Aristotle to today’s societies have the time and money to pursue their democratic ideals. On the other hand, the poor citizens are too busy searching for food and have not time for pursuing democracy behaviors. A nation where the majority of the citizens are poor usually fit the dictatorial or non-democratic government alternatives. The author insists that education enhances economic development. Education equips the citizens with the mental and physical tools needed to set up and retain the democratic government. (3) Conclusions of the Reading Further, the conclusion of the same Lipset reading affirms economic development contributes to the establishment and protection of a democratic government (Lipset, 1959). The rich people have the time and money to prioritize the setting up and retention of a democratic government. On the other hand, the poor people prioritize feeding their families’ hungry stomachs over political issues. Third Reading (Kitschelt) (2)Article’s main arguments Mr. H. Kitschelt affirmed economic development influences the democracy priorities of a nation (Kitschelt, 1992). The authoritarian leaders did their best to prevent an economic crisis. An economic crisis may trigger the people’s demand for a change to the democratic form of government. An observed pattern shows an economic crisis often leads to the replacement of the current non-democratic form of government with the laissez faire economy’s democratic government policies (Sfsu, 2014). Mr. Kitschelt mentioned Barrington Moore espoused the decentralization of both political power and economic power prior the arrival of the industrialization age led to democratic enhancement. The industrialization state includes converting agricultural land for business or commerce purposes. The same state includes the rise in the bourgeoisie class. Further, the same author insists that the political leaders’ mishandling of the economic factors often trigger the populace to replace the current authoritarian or dictatorship government with the free market economy within a democracy (Kitschelt, 1992). The author indicated the real factor leading to democracy priorities is the working class. The number of working class individuals, which is usually more than the bourgeoisie individuals, can mobilize themselves to convincingly change the government to a democratic form. Likewise, the middleclass citizens join the working class in the drive to set up a democracy. Likewise, the economic competitive organizations often help instill democracy priorities. (3) Conclusions of the Reading The author affirms the people directly influence the setting up of a democracy. The people include the working class or laborers. Similarly, the people include the bourgeoisie class residents. The leader’s handling of the economy affects the setting up and maintenance of a democratic government. The leaders’ mishandling of the economy often precipitated to replacing a current dictatorship or authoritarian government with a new democratic government. Fourth Reading (P. O’Neil) (2) Article’s main arguments Mr. P. O’ Neil emphasized the current economic development state of a nation contributed to the setting up or dismantling of a democratic form of government (ONeil, 1996). The author inisisted organizational configurations with their activity patterns can contribute to replacing a dictatorship with a democratic government or vice versa (the other way around). After the death of Stalin, many political leaders started politicaland economic reforms. The economic reforms aimed to achieve legitimacy and get the technical patronage of the population. Hungary’s Kadar instituted economic reforms within the communist ideology. The economic reforms intented to resolve the disadvantages of communism. The economic reforms bordered on a more democratic market (buy and sell) environment. When the reformist communist party failed to create a viable economic environment, the citizens and other part members decided to improve the communist party’s political in order to resolve the currently failing economic policy outcomes. Consequently, the Democratic Forces Union rose to challenge the communist ideologies by espousing the setting up of a new democratic government. (3) Conclusions of the Reading The author affirmed failed economic policies influence how the government is run. The communist government failed to implement a viable economic policy. Consequently, leaders of the communist government implemented stop-gap measures to fix the ailing communist economy. With the establishment of a democracy-based political party, some quarters rallied for the establishment of a democratic government in order to enhance the failing economy. Fifth Reading (Haggard & Kaufman) (2)Article’s main arguments Both Haggard and Kaufman emphasized democracy is the end product of both implicit and explicit negotiations (Haggard, S., Kaufman, R., 1997). The democratic process involves creation of alliances within the transition environment. Both authors state O’Donnell and Schmitter emphasized explicit negotiations precipitate to the establishment of a democratic government. Both Haggard and Kaufman’s Figure 1 chart shows economic issues resulted to democratic priorities replacing the prevailing authoritarian government. (3) Conclusions of the Reading Economic issues trigger political changes. The failed economy persuaded the citizens to replace the current authoritarian government with the better democratic government form. People disgruntled with the current authoritarian government’s failed economic policies preferred a shift to the democratic environment. The people eyed democracy was eyed as the key to resolving the current authoritarian (dictatorial) government’s seemingly unfavorable economic debacles. Sixth: Reading (Encarnacion) (2)Article’s main arguments Mr. O. Encarnacion insisted politics and economic development must go hand in hand to deliver the maximum benefits to the citizens (Encarnacion, 1996). The author states the social democratic concept requires economic reforms must be instituted in a democratic society. The same concept dictates capital and labor must coordinate in a democratic environment. Chile’s liberalization included the government leaders’ highly ambitious and hugely successful efforts to develop the free market economy in line with democracy principles. From 1977 to 1982, Spain’s government leaders focus on replacing the 40 year old dictatorship into a democracy while retaining the prevailing democracy-based privatized economic environment. In Poland, communist leaders capitalized on economic gains related to replacing the current communist government to a democratic government. Democracy is easier when the economy includes both a stable and developing (growing) economy. (3) Conclusions of the Reading The article affirms the relationship between economic development and political structure. A strong democracy includes a viable economic development plan. Economic development includes cooperation between both enthusiastic management and cooperative workers. Economic development goes hand in hand with successful democratic priorities. Seventh Reading (Friedman) (2) Article’s main arguments Mr. E. Friedman explains the importance of economic development on successful democratic government policies (Friedman, 1994). Communist governments instituted economic reforms (developments) in order to appease the disgruntled citizens questioning the currently failing economy. Because of the failed economy, some of the communist countries’ residents rallied for the installation of the new democratic government. Chinese communist leader Deng Xiaoping established the free market economy within the government’s communist ideologies. The free market economy (laissez faire) is grounded on democratic or free buying and selling of products and services. As expected, the Catholic Church played a vital role in rousing the people to forcefully toppling the Philippines’ authoritative Marcos government into a democracy. Similarly, church leaders brought democracy to South Korea. Creating a free market economy in China promotes democracy priorities among the citizens, as shown in the China’s massacre of prodemocracy students during the April 1989 Tiananmen Square Beijing rally. In fact, Mr. J. Cotton affirmed democracy was forcefully enshrined in the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan and other Asian countries (Cotton, 1997). (3) Conclusions of the Reading The above reading affirms economic development is an important factor to ensure viable democracy. The people espoused replacing the communist governments’ failed economy by instituting a democratic society. The free market economy (laissez faire) is grounded on democratic or free buying and selling of products and services. In addition, Mr. J. Cotton reiterated democracy was forcefully enshrined in the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan and other Asian countries (Cotton, 1997). (4) Critical comments or analysis on all the above readings/articles. The above articles’ key arguments, evidences, assumptions or examples affirm viable economic development thrives in a democratic society. The thesis statement is clearly and understandably indicated in the above chosen readings. The different authors offer several convincing evidences to back up their thesis statements. Consequently, there are no significantly unanswered questions on the topic, all articles affirm democracy’s free market economy will spur economic development. Within a democratic government, all future researches should focus on comparing the difference between European economic development and Asian economic Development. Conclusion Summarizing the above readings, democracy is directly related to economic development. The failed economic development triggered a shift to a democratic form of government. The favorable free market economy usually falls within a democratic (freedom to choose) government. Evidently, spurring economic development by introducing the free market economy can significantly work better within a democratic society, triggering the people to shift to the freer democratic government alternative. References: Website References: Sfsu. 2015. Modes of Transition. Accessed February 12, 2015 from Sfsu. 2015. Transition Theories. Accessed February 12, 2015 from < http://coursestream.sfsu.edu/ess/echo/presentation/c538e01f-03c1-48d7-95cd-f3c8b678bbc6 > Sfsu. 2015. Patterns. Accessed February 12, 2015 from < http://coursestream.sfsu.edu/ess/echo/presentation/487c77d8-d711-498e-ba2d-f39d1e0a61c9 > Other references: Cotton, J. (1997). East Asian Democracy. In L. Diamond, Consolidating the 3rd World Democracies. Encarnacion, O. (1996). The Politics of Dual Transitions. Comparative Politics , 28 (4), 477- 493. Friedman, E. (1994). Democratization: Generalizing the East Asian Experience. Boulder: Westview Press. Haggard, S., Kaufman, R. (1997). The Political Economy of Democratic Transitions. Comparative Politics , 29 (3), 263- 283. Kitschelt, H. (1992). Political Regime Change. American Political Science Review , 86 (4), 1028-1036. Laothiamatas, A. (1997). Democratization in Southeast and East Asia. New York: St. Martin Press. Lipset, S. (1959). Some Social Requisites of Democracy. American Political Review , 53 (1), 69- 85. ONeil, P. (1996). Revolution from Within. World Politics , 48 (4), 579- 603. Read More