The Economic Crisis Advances Democracy Globally
Marc F. Plattner, Journal of Democracy | January 14, 2009
The Great Depression hindered the democratic progress; the current crisis could advance it. ++ Authoritarian countries like China, Russia, Venezuela and Iran will suffer more than democratic competitors. ++ Political legitimacy based on "delivering the economic goods" is weaker than one based on political freedom and the capacity to change governments without changing regime. ++ Democracies may also fail to deliver; however, they are more capable of changing and adapting. ++ Even if they decay, they do so slower, and still win.
