Page 7 - kpiebook62016

Executive Summary

This study of democracy and democratic transition is derived from both normative
theories and empirical evidence, employing a comparative method known as the “most-

different method” or the “method of agreement” to provide a factual overview of the most

likely successful transitions to democracy in eight countries on four continents, namely

South Korea, Indonesia, Argentina, Chile, Tunisia, Nigeria, Ukraine and Poland. In addition

to examining democratic transitions, the study also explores the antithesis of democratic
governance, specifically, the process of de-democratization, or the transitions that returned

to the authoritarian and hybrid regimes.

While the situation in each country is different, it is notable that all eight transitions to

democracy presented in this study show some common traits, including:

1. Social inclusiveness and a willingness to compromise among the oppositions.
The inclusiveness among the pro-democratic camps generates widely shared benefits,

which are crucial for democratic transition.

2. Leadership who possess long-term visions with genuine intentions and strong

commitments to lay a foundation for the establishment of democracies.

3. Constitutional reform, which is a key element of any democratic transformation.

Public consensus on both the process of reforming the constitution and the constitutional
body of laws is equally essential.

4. Civilian control of the military, which is necessary simply because it will inspire

domestic trust. Democracy cannot be consolidated if the military leaders do not support

democracy.