Democracy = Stability, Prosperity, and Satisfaction?

Abstract

The performance of non-democratic countries such as China prompts questions about the virtues of democratization for development outcomes such as economic growth, health, and education. Also the merits of democratization for peace and stability are repeatedly challenged. Scholars point to political instability during democratization process or after elections (Collier 2009). Tellingly, even the old democracies in the Western world face significant problems such as declining rates in political participation and satisfaction. Prior comparative research has provided inconclusive and even contradictory findings (e.g. Knutsen 2012). However, it seems plausible that various components of democracy are related to growth, human development and in different ways. This panel welcomes papers that shed new light on how particular characteristics of political regimes affect stability, prosperity and political satisfaction.

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