New Insights on Democratization and Authoritarian Stability with V-Dem Data

Abstract

According to some scholars and pundits democracy is in decline, whereas others challenge this view and emphasize the progress made compared to the 1980s (Diamond & Plattner 2015 ed.). Against this backdrop, research on causes of democratization or authoritarian stability is pertinent as ever before. Yet, lacking data availability has long limited scope and precision of comparative research in this field. As from December 2015, the new data from the Varieties of Democracy Project will be publicly available. The V-Dem dataset includes 400 distinct and precise indicators of democracy. It covers 174 countries and dependent territories from 1900 to 2012. Thus, the V-Dem data offer unique opportunities to pursue new research agendas or revisit old ones in new ways. This panel welcomes papers that use new data sources to describe and explain historical and recent trends in democratic development.

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