Description
Book SynopsisDemocratic Equilibrium: The Supply and Demand of Democracy defines a model for political change, change that results in either an increase or decrease in democracy. The book presents a model that builds upon the existing literature to bridge several major gaps in political change theory. This book provides a holistic supply and demand model that draws upon works from political science, economics, and history. The work conducts an econometric test of the model and validates the results with field research cases from Mexico, the Philippines, and Senegal. The econometric chapter is a rare quantitative analysis of the effects of violence and development upon democracy. This topic is central to contemporary academic and policy debates about how to create democracies, consolidate democracies, achieve development and improve security, especially within developing countries. This topic is especially timely as the Arab Spring represents a unique opportunity and challenge for democratic change a
Trade ReviewProfessor Fowler's work informs us of the determinants of the nuances of democracy, an overlooked aspect of regime change, in the context of a clever supply and demand model of democracy. Of equivalent importance in the model are societal structure, political agents' norms diffusion, and state security. Both quantitative and qualitative evidence, well-chosen in both respects, is marshaled to test the model. This is a wonderfully integrative work on democratization—highly recommended reading! -- Ross E. Burkhart, Boise State University
Table of ContentsI Introduction II Proposing a Model of Political Change III Quantitative Analysis: Testing Structural Determinants of Democracy IV Mexico: Democratic Evolution Despite Violence V Philippines: A Resurgence of Democracy Overcomes Insurgency and Poverty VI Senegal: The Case of a Poor, Under-Developed Democracy VII Conclusion: The Supply and Demand of Democracy
