Is democratic governance good for economic prosperity? Does it accelerate progress towards social welfare and human development? Does it generate a peace-dividend and reduce conflict at home? Within the international community, democracy and governance are widely advocated as intrinsically desirable goals. Nevertheless, alternative schools of thought dispute their consequences and the most effective strategy for achieving critical developmental objectives. This book argues that both liberal democracy and state capacity need to be strengthened to ensure effective development, within the constraints posed by structural conditions. Liberal democracy allows citizens to express their demands, hold public officials to account and rid themselves of ineffective leaders. Yet rising public demands that cannot be met by the state generate disillusionment with incumbent officeholders, the regime, or ultimately the promise of liberal democracy ideals. Thus governance capacity also plays a vital role in advancing human security, enabling states to respond effectively to citizen's demands.
• Offers a new theoretical framework seeking to explain the impact of the democratic governance on economic development, human welfare and internal peace • The theory is tested empirically among diverse types of regimes, using worldwide evidence during the third wave of democracy • By challenging many of the contemporary arguments advanced by idealists and realists, the book provides a more comprehensive understanding
Contents
Part I. Introduction: 1. Does democratic governance determine human security?; 2. Theories of regime effects; Part II. Comparing Regimes: 3. The regime typology; 4. Analyzing regime effects; Part III. Development Outcomes: 5. Prosperity; 6. Welfare; 7. Peace; Part IV. Conclusions: 8. Why regimes matter.
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