Question

explain the role of “linkage and leverage” in the democratization process. What does each term mean?

Answer 1

Democratization is the transition to a more Democratic political regime. It may be the transition from an authoritarian regime to a full democracy. It means transition from a authoritarian political system to a Democratic political system.

Linkage is the density and numbers of ties and cross boarder flows between developing and Western countries.

Leverage is the degree to which government of developing countries are vulnerable to external Democratising pressure from more developed countries.

-Linkages are cross - boarders ties between countries across a variety of political, social, Economic dimensions. They have strong democratizing effects by raising the international costs of repression and strengthening Democratic actors at local level.

- Linkages can protect & embolden autocratic elites & reduce the political space for Democratic openings.

-Leverage in the absence of linkage has rarely been sufficient to induce democratization.

- High linkage and leverage generated the intense international democratizing pressure , contributing to the democratization even under unfavorable domestic conditions.