The Democratization Project: Opportunities and Challenges

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Ashok Swain, Ramses Amer, Joakim Öjendal
Anthem Press, Feb 1, 2009 - Political Science - 198 pages

Democratization is a field where unexpected and sudden events have repeatedly challenged conventional wisdom. For example, who in the mid-1970s would have foreseen the democratization of Cambodia, Albania, South Africa or East Timor? Our current ‘wave’ of democratization is complex and diverse and understanding it requires a variety of theoretical approaches.

Most of the literature on democracy assumes that it is the best form of government. Theoretical works on democratic transition and democratization have also emphasized the internal conflict resolution capacity of democracy. It has been reasoned that democracy reduces the likelihood of discrimination, especially of ethno-political minorities, and thus the possibility of political repression. However, the democratic peace theory has not been explicitly tested with reference to third world post-colonial states, where most internal violent conflicts take place. Certainly, there is a dearth of practical advice for policy makers on how to design and implement democratic levers that can make internal peace and stability endure in the South.

This volume, drawing on the work of a variety of scholars, will contribute to identifying and understanding the challenges and opportunities of this ‘democratization project’ to the peace and development of the world both at the domestic level in selected countries, trends in regions of the world, and in the global system of the post-Cold War Era.

 

Contents

Chapter One The Democratization Project Peace Conflict and Development by Ashok Swain Ramses Amer and Joakim Ojendal
1
Chapter Two NonAuthorized Military Interventions and Legitimization by the United Nations by Ramses Amer
17
Chapter Three From Condemnation to Legitimization of Outcome The United Nations and the Use of Force in InterState Relations by Patrik Johansso...
39
Chapter Four Demos or Deus Patterns of Religious Dimensions in Asian Armed Conflicts 19452005 by Isak Svensson and David Rangdrol
67
Chapter Five The Left and Democratic Consolidation Deepening Democracy in Latin America? by Martin Nilsson
87
Chapter Six Democracy without People? The Risk of Monopolizing the Democratization Project by Luz Paula ParraRosales
105
Chapter Seven The Role of Hamas in Building Palestinian Democracy in the Midst of Violence by Michael Schulz
113
Chapter Eight Elections and Violence in Sri Lanka Understanding Variation Across Three Parliamentary Elections by Kristine Hoglund
135
Chapter Nine PostAccord Elections and Armed Conflict by Anna K Jarstad
153
Chapter Ten Peace Through Democracy? The Challenges of Postwar Democratization in Weak and WarTorn States by Thomas Ohlson and Mimmi S...
165
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About the author (2009)

Ashok Swain is Professor of Peace and Conflict Research, Uppsala University and Director, Uppsala Center for Sustainable Development.

Ramses Amer is Associate Professor and Coordinator, Swedish Network of Peace, Conflict and Development Research.

Joakim Öjendal is Professor of Peace and Development Research, Gothenburg University.

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