Between 1974 and 1990 more than thirty countries in
southern Europe, Latin America, East Asia, and Eastern
Europe shifted from authoritarian to democratic systems
of government. This global democratic revolution is
probably the most important political trend in the late
twentieth century. In "The""Third Wave, "Samuel P.
Huntington analyzes the causes and nature of these
democratic transitions, evaluates the prospects for
stability of the new democracies, and explores the
possibility of more countries becoming democratic. The
recent transitions, he argues, are the third major wave
of democratization in the modem world. Each of the two
previous waves was followed by a reverse wave in which
some countries shifted back to authoritarian government.
Using concrete examples, empirical evidence, and
insightful analysis, Huntington provides neither a
theory nor a history of the third wave, but an
explanation of why and how it occurred.Factors
responsible for the democratic trend include the
legitimacy dilemmas of authoritarian regimes; economic
and social development; the changed role of the Catholic
Church; the impact of the United States, the European
Community, and the Soviet Union; and the "snowballing"
phenomenon: change in one country stimulating change in
others. Five key elite groups within and outside the
nondemocratic regime played roles in shaping the various
ways democratization occurred. Compromise was key to all
democratizations, and elections and nonviolent tactics
also were central. New democracies must deal with the
"torturer problem" and the "praetorian problem" and
attempt to develop democratic values and processes.
Disillusionment with democracy, Huntington argues, is
necessary to consolidating democracy. He concludes the
book with an analysis of the political, economic, and
cultural factors that will decide whether or not the
third wave continues.Several "Guidelines for
Democratizers" offer specific, practical suggestions for
initiating and carrying out reform. Huntington's
emphasis on practical application makes this book a
valuable tool for anyone engaged in the democratization
process. At this volatile time in history, Huntington's
assessment of the processes of democratization is
indispensable to understanding the future of democracy
in the world. |
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