Democratization

 

 

Edited by: Professor Jeffrey Haynes and Professor Aurel Croissant

 

Democratization is devoted to the study of the broad phenomenon of democratization – defined as the way democratic norms, institutions and practices evolve and are disseminated or retracted both within and across national and cultural boundaries. In particular, the journal aims to promote a better understanding of distinct phenomena, such as: transition to democracy and democratic installation, democratic consolidation and crisis, and deepening or weakening of democratic qualities. While the journal does not consider authoritarianism simply as a pre-stage to democracy, it also welcomes studies on various aspects of authoritarian polities, politics and policies, with the journal’s explicit aim to develop a broader understanding of possible relationships between authoritarian and democratic politics. While the focus lies on democratization viewed as a process, the journal also builds on the enduring interest in democracy itself and its analysis. Democratization looks at contemporary developments through a comparative lens. There is special reference to democracy, autocracy and democratization in the regions of the Global South and in post-communist societies, but not to the exclusion of other relevant areas such as North America, Australasia, and the European Union and its member states.

 

The journal aims to encourage debate on the many aspects of democratization that are of interest to policy-makers, administrators and journalists, aid and development personnel, as well as to all those involved in education.

 

All research articles in this journal have undergone rigorous peer review, based on initial editor screening and refereeing by anonymous referees. All peer review is double blind and submission is online via ScholarOne Manuscripts.