Glossary
Competitive Elections
Elections in which multiple political parties have a genuine and realistic chance of winning power, preventing single-party dominance.
Example:
Mexico's shift from PRI dominance to power regularly changing hands between parties demonstrates the development of competitive elections.
Democratic Backslide
The process by which a government adopts policies or practices that undermine or weaken democratic institutions, elections, and civil liberties.
Example:
A government that restricts media freedom and suppresses opposition protests is engaging in democratic backslide.
Democratic Consolidation
The process by which a country strengthens and deepens its democratic institutions, norms, and practices, making it more resilient to authoritarian reversals.
Example:
When a country consistently holds free and fair elections, strengthens its independent judiciary, and protects civil liberties, it is undergoing democratic consolidation.
Democratization
The process by which a regime incorporates more of the seven characteristics of democracy into its political system, which can involve steps forward and backward.
Example:
After decades of one-party rule, a country might begin a process of democratization by allowing more political parties to compete in elections.
District boundaries
The geographical lines that define electoral constituencies, which can be adjusted through redistricting and potentially impact election outcomes.
Example:
Debates over redrawing district boundaries often arise, as gerrymandering can manipulate these lines to favor one political party.
Elected Officials with Authority
A characteristic of democracy where leaders chosen by the populace genuinely possess and exercise power over the government, rather than being figureheads.
Example:
In a democratic system, the Prime Minister, as an elected official with authority, can implement policies approved by the legislature.
First Wave (of democratization)
The initial historical period of democratization, primarily associated with the origins of modern democracies in Western Europe and North America.
Example:
The establishment of parliamentary systems and expanded suffrage in the 19th century can be seen as part of the First Wave of democratization.
Free and Fair Elections
Elections where all eligible citizens can vote without coercion, and their votes are accurately counted, ensuring the integrity of the electoral process.
Example:
In a truly free and fair election, international observers would confirm that polling stations were accessible and vote tabulation was transparent.
Government Transparency
The principle that government policies and procedures are open to public scrutiny, ensuring accountability and due process.
Example:
When a government passes a National Freedom of Information Act, it increases government transparency by allowing citizens to access official documents.
Illiberal democracy
A political system that holds elections, but lacks many of the key characteristics of a liberal democracy, such as robust civil liberties, rule of law, and truly competitive elections.
Example:
Russia is often considered an illiberal democracy because while it holds elections, the opposition parties have no real chance of gaining power and civil rights are restricted.
Independent Judiciary
A court system that operates free from influence or control by the executive or legislative branches of government, ensuring impartial justice.
Example:
A Supreme Court that can rule against the President's actions demonstrates an independent judiciary.
Independent election committees
Non-partisan bodies established to oversee and administer elections, aiming to ensure fairness, transparency, and reduce fraud.
Example:
The creation of an independent election committee can significantly boost public confidence in the integrity of a country's electoral process.
Multiparty competition
A political system feature where multiple political parties actively contend for power, offering voters diverse choices and increasing the likelihood of competitive elections.
Example:
The presence of several strong opposition parties challenging the incumbent party in an election signifies robust multiparty competition.
Political and Civil Rights
Fundamental liberties and protections guaranteed to all citizens, including freedoms of speech, assembly, and the right to due process.
Example:
A country that protects its citizens' right to protest peacefully is upholding their political and civil rights.
Proportional representation
An electoral system where legislative seats are allocated to political parties in proportion to the percentage of votes they receive, aiming for a more representative legislature.
Example:
If a party wins 20% of the national vote, under proportional representation, it would typically receive approximately 20% of the seats in the legislature.
Rule of Law
A principle where all individuals and institutions, including the government, are accountable to laws that are publicly promulgated, equally enforced, and independently adjudicated.
Example:
When a former president is prosecuted for corruption, it demonstrates the strength of the rule of law in that country.
Second Wave (of democratization)
A period of democratization that occurred after World War II until the 1960s, often linked to decolonization and the spread of democratic ideals.
Example:
Many newly independent nations in Africa and Asia adopting democratic constitutions in the mid-20th century were part of the Second Wave of democratization.
Third Wave (of democratization)
A significant global surge in democratization beginning in the 1970s, characterized by the defeat of dictatorships, particularly in Latin America, Eastern Europe, and parts of Asia and Africa.
Example:
Mexico's transition from PRI dominance in the late 20th century is a prime example of a country participating in the Third Wave of democratization.
Vote thresholds
A minimum percentage of the vote a political party must receive in an election to be eligible for seats in the legislature, often used in proportional representation systems.
Example:
A country might implement a 5% vote threshold, meaning any party that fails to win at least 5% of the national vote will not gain any seats in parliament.