Does heterogeneity hinder democracy?

Merkel, Wolfgang; Weiffen, Brigitte

Does heterogeneity hinder democracy?

Files

Merkel_205758.pdf(401.26 KB)

Date

2012

Authors

Merkel, Wolfgang

Weiffen, Brigitte

Publication type

Journal article

Published in

Comparative Sociology ; 11 (2012), 3. - pp. 387-421. - ISSN 1569-1322. - eISSN 1569-1330

Abstract

Research linking heterogeneity and democracy usually focuses on one single dimension of heterogeneity, such as the distribution of power resources, income inequality, gender inequality, or ethnic fractionalization. Empirical results have so far been inconsistent. This article attempts a sound conceptualization of the phenomenon of heterogeneity. In order to assess whether and how heterogeneity hampers democracy, we will first define what “heterogeneity“ means and examine its various dimensions. Then we will discuss why and in which respect heterogeneity constitutes a challenge to democratic transition and consolidation and will review previous research. Our empirical analysis gauges the effect of various dimensions of heterogeneity on the political trajectory of states since the beginning of the third wave of democratization. We find that, while most facets of heterogeneity do not hinder democratic transition, most of them complicate democratic consolidation. Our final discussion offers some suggestions on how the obstacles that heterogeneity poses for democratic development could be overcome and which principles, procedures and institutions are most appropriate to deal with each of the different dimensions of heterogeneity.

Subject (DDC)

300 Social Sciences, Sociology

Keywords

democratic transition,democratic consolidation,diversity,ethnic heterogeneity,inequality

Cite This

ISO 690

MERKEL, Wolfgang, Brigitte WEIFFEN, 2012. Does heterogeneity hinder democracy?. In: Comparative Sociology. 11(3), pp. 387-421. ISSN 1569-1322. eISSN 1569-1330. Available under: doi: 10.1163/156913312X638606

BibTex

@article{Merkel2012heter-20575,
  year={2012},
  doi={10.1163/156913312X638606},
  title={Does heterogeneity hinder democracy?},
  number={3},
  volume={11},
  issn={1569-1322},
  journal={Comparative Sociology},
  pages={387--421},
  author={Merkel, Wolfgang and Weiffen, Brigitte}
}

RDF

<rdf:RDF
    xmlns:dcterms="http://purl.org/dc/terms/"
    xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
    xmlns:rdf="http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#"
    xmlns:bibo="http://purl.org/ontology/bibo/"
    xmlns:dspace="http://digital-repositories.org/ontologies/dspace/0.1.0#"
    xmlns:foaf="http://xmlns.com/foaf/0.1/"
    xmlns:void="http://rdfs.org/ns/void#"
    xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#" > 
  <rdf:Description rdf:about="https://kops.uni-konstanz.de/server/rdf/resource/123456789/20575">
    <dcterms:rights rdf:resource="https://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/"/>
    <dc:rights>terms-of-use</dc:rights>
    <dc:creator>Weiffen, Brigitte</dc:creator>
    <dcterms:isPartOf rdf:resource="https://kops.uni-konstanz.de/server/rdf/resource/123456789/30"/>
    <dcterms:isPartOf rdf:resource="https://kops.uni-konstanz.de/server/rdf/resource/123456789/42"/>
    <dcterms:issued>2012</dcterms:issued>
    <dcterms:bibliographicCitation>Comparative Sociology ; 11 (2012), 3. - S. 387-421</dcterms:bibliographicCitation>
    <dc:contributor>Merkel, Wolfgang</dc:contributor>
    <dspace:hasBitstream rdf:resource="https://kops.uni-konstanz.de/bitstream/123456789/20575/2/Merkel_205758.pdf"/>
    <dcterms:title>Does heterogeneity hinder democracy?</dcterms:title>
    <dc:language>eng</dc:language>
    <dc:contributor>Weiffen, Brigitte</dc:contributor>
    <bibo:uri rdf:resource="http://kops.uni-konstanz.de/handle/123456789/20575"/>
    <dcterms:hasPart rdf:resource="https://kops.uni-konstanz.de/bitstream/123456789/20575/2/Merkel_205758.pdf"/>
    <dc:date rdf:datatype="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#dateTime">2012-11-07T11:11:07Z</dc:date>
    <void:sparqlEndpoint rdf:resource="http://localhost/fuseki/dspace/sparql"/>
    <dspace:isPartOfCollection rdf:resource="https://kops.uni-konstanz.de/server/rdf/resource/123456789/42"/>
    <dc:creator>Merkel, Wolfgang</dc:creator>
    <foaf:homepage rdf:resource="http://localhost:8080/"/>
    <dcterms:available rdf:datatype="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#dateTime">2012-11-07T11:11:07Z</dcterms:available>
    <dspace:isPartOfCollection rdf:resource="https://kops.uni-konstanz.de/server/rdf/resource/123456789/30"/>
    <dcterms:abstract xml:lang="eng">Research linking heterogeneity and democracy usually focuses on one single dimension of heterogeneity, such as the distribution of power resources, income inequality, gender inequality, or ethnic fractionalization. Empirical results have so far been inconsistent. This article attempts a sound conceptualization of the phenomenon of heterogeneity. In order to assess whether and how heterogeneity hampers democracy, we will first define what “heterogeneity“ means and examine its various dimensions. Then we will discuss why and in which respect heterogeneity constitutes a challenge to democratic transition and consolidation and will review previous research. Our empirical analysis gauges the effect of various dimensions of heterogeneity on the political trajectory of states since the beginning of the third wave of democratization. We find that, while most facets of heterogeneity do not hinder democratic transition, most of them complicate democratic consolidation. Our final discussion offers some suggestions on how the obstacles that heterogeneity poses for democratic development could be overcome and which principles, procedures and institutions are most appropriate to deal with each of the different dimensions of heterogeneity.</dcterms:abstract>
  </rdf:Description>
</rdf:RDF>

Bibliography of Konstanz

Yes