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Cited by 2,025Political Conflict and GovernancePolitical Theory and DemocracyElectoral Systems and Political Participation

What Do We Know About Democratization After Twenty Years?

Geddes, Barbara·1999·Annual Review of Political Science
DOI 10.1146/annurev.polisci.2.1.115
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Abstract

This essay synthesizes the results of the large number of studies of late–20th-century democratization published during the last 20 years. Strong evidence supports the claims that democracy is more likely in more developed countries and that regime transitions of all kinds are more likely during economic downturns. Very few of the other arguments advanced in the transitions literature, however, appear to be generally true. This study proposes a theoretical model, rooted in characteristics of different types of authoritarian regimes, to explain many of the differences in democratization experience across cases in different regions. Evidence drawn from a data set that includes 163 authoritarian regimes offers preliminary support for the model proposed.

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Authors
Geddes, B.
Affiliations
University of California, Los Angeles (US)
Corresponding author
Geddes, Barbara
ORCID
Geddes, Barbara
Venue
Annual Review of Political Science
Publisher
Annual Reviews
Published
1999-06
Volume
2
Issue
1
Pages
115-144
ISSN
  • 1094-2939 (ISSN-L)
  • 1545-1577
DOI
10.1146/annurev.polisci.2.1.115
OpenAlex
W2166749687
Cited by
2,025
References
68
Citations by year
2026: 85 · 2025: 119 · 2024: 127 · 2023: 114 · 2022: 133 · 2021: 74 · 2020: 173 · 2019: 128 · 2018: 132 · 2017: 100 · 2016: 95 · 2015: 101 · 2014: 84 · 2013: 101 · 2012: 84
FWCI
21.59
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
Annual Review of Political Science (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Political Conflict and Governance
  • Social Sciences › Political Science and International Relations › Political Theory and Democracy
  • Social Sciences › Political Science and International Relations › Electoral Systems and Political Participation
Keywords
democratization, tipping points, authoritarian regimes, political regimes, economic downturn, economic development and democracy, late 20th century

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