Critical Analysis The Spirit of Democracy Essay

Democracy, with various perceptions lacks a universally accepted definition. However, it may have become a universally accepted system of government most international societies prefer to operate under. Larry Diamond (author of â€Å"The Spirit of Democracy†) agrees to this trend, when he questions why Democracy has not expanded globally. Though a snowball effect is indeed taking place, allowing sparks of liberal ideas translate to democratic movements giving way to the third wave of democracy, this system is still limited to two-thirds of the globe. In order to truly understand the limited growth of democracy, we must first uncover the internal factors that drive autocratic regimes and their democratic transitions. Autocratic regimes may†¦show more content†¦In the long-run, these movements eventually help induce the autocracy with a democratic system of government. Nonetheless, the autocracy can still revert the country to its initial bureaucratic system of government. Should they discover a source of mineral wealth within their country, the autocracy recovers from poor economic circumstances, ultimately fulfilling the desires of the people and retaining the legitimacy of the system. Thus, the leader recovers his moral title to rule, which was to bring economic and social reforms into the state that desperately required them. Once the government receives additional funding, it can use it to oppress rebellious citizens. Or repulse any oppositions that may have emerged from previous perceptions of a failing state. In contrast, Diamond views this recovery as a temporary delay of democracy. As a supporter of modernization theory, he believes that development endows society with values of post-materialism, which are values of independence and plurality found in the heart of all democratic societies. Diamond elaborates further, by linking the increa se in income to a rise in education. 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