The Quality of Democracy: Theory and Applications (Kellogg Institute Series on Democracy and Development)

In 1996, Guillermo O’Donnell taught a seminar at the University of Notre Dame on democratic theory. One of the questions explored in this class was whether it is possible to define and determine the “quality” of democracy. Jorge Vargas Cullell, a student in this course, returned to his native country of Costa Rica, formed a small research team, and secured funding for undertaking a “citizen audit” of the quality of democracy in Costa Rica. This pathbreaking volume contains O’Donnell’s qualitative theoretical study of the quality of democracy and Vargas Cullell’s description and analysis of the empirical data he gathered on the quality of democracy in Costa Rica. It also includes twelve short, scholarly reflections on the O’Donnell and Cullell essays. The primary goal of this collection is to present the rationale and methodology for implementing a citizen audit of democracy. This book is an expression of a growing concern among policy experts and academics that the recent emergence of numerous democratic regimes, particularly in Latin America, cannot conceal the sobering fact that the efficacy and impact of these new governments vary widely. These variations, which range from acceptable to dismal, have serious consequences for the people of Latin America, many of whom have received few if any benefits from democratization. Attempts to gauge the quality of particular democracies are therefore not only fascinating intellectual exercises but may also be useful practical guides for improving both old and new democracies. This book will make important strides in addressing the increasing practical and academic concerns about the quality of democracy. It will be required reading for political scientists, policy analysts, and Latin Americanists. In 1996, Guillermo O'Donnell taught a seminar at the University of Notre Dame on democratic theory. One of the questions explored in this seminar was whether it is possible to define and determine the "quality" of democracy. Jorge Vargas Cullell, a member of this seminar, returned to his native country of Costa Rica, formed a small research team, and secured funding for undertaking a "citizen audit" of the quality of democracy in Costa Rica. This pathbreaking volume contains O'Donnell's qualitative theoretical study of the quality of democracy and Vargas Cullell's description and analysis of the empirical data he gathered on the quality of democracy in Costa Rica. It also includes twelve short, scholarly reflections on the O'Donnell and Vargas Cullell essays. The primary goal of this collection is to present the rationale and methodology for implementing a citizen audit of democracy. The book is an expression of a growing concern among policy experts and academics that the recent emergence of numerous democratic regimes, particularly in Latin America, cannot conceal the sobering fact that the efficacy and impact of the new governments vary widely. These variations, which range from acceptable to dismal, have serious consequences for the people of Latin America, many of whom have received few if any benefits from democratization. Attempts to gauge the quality of particular democracies are therefore not only fascinating intellectual exercises but may also be useful practical guides for improving both old and new democracies. Cover The Quality of Democracy Title Copyright Dedication contents Acknowledgments Foreword Introduction PART I THEORETICAL AND EMPIRICAL FOUNDATIONS Chapter 1 Human Development, Human Rights, and Democracy Chapter 2 Democracy and the Quality of Democracy: Empirical Findings and Methodological and Theoretical Issues Drawn from the Citizen Audit of the Quality of Democracy in Costa Rica PART II COMMENTS BY WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS About the Comments In Search of a New Paradigm: Quality of Democracy and Human Development in Latin America Notes on Human Development, Human Rights, and Auditing the Quality of Democracy Latin America: Virtuous or Perverse Cycle Fundamental Rights as a Limitation to the Democratic Principle of Majority Will On the Imaginary of the Citizenry State, Democracy, and Social Rights Deepening Civil and Social Rights Unfinished Business for Latin America’s Democracies Quality of Democracy or Quality of Politics? Quality of Democracy and Its Measurement Democratic Quality: Costs and Benefits of the Concept Conceptual and Methodological Notes on the Quality of Democracy and Its Audit Contributors Index 'The Quality of Democracy' contains Guillermo O'Donnell's qualitative theoretical study of the quality of democracy and Vargas Cullell's description and analysis of the empirical data he gathered on the quality of democracy in Costa Rica