The Third Wave: Democratization in the Late Twentieth Century (Julian J. Rothbaum Distinguished Lecture Series, Vol 4)

Between 1974 and 1990 more than thirty countries in southern Europe, Latin America, East Asia, and Eastern Europe shifted from authoritarian to democratic systems of government. This global democratic revolution is probably the most important political trend in the late twentieth century. In The Third Wave, Samuel P. Huntington analyzes the causes and nature of these democratic transitions, evaluates the prospects for stability of the new democracies, and explores the possibility of more countries becoming democratic. The recent transitions, he argues, are the third major wave of democratization in the modem world. Each of the two previous waves was followed by a reverse wave in which some countries shifted back to authoritarian government. Using concrete examples, empirical evidence, and insightful analysis, Huntington provides neither a theory nor a history of the third wave, but an explanation of why and how it occurred. Factors responsible for the democratic trend include the legitimacy dilemmas of authoritarian regimes; economic and social development; the changed role of the Catholic Church; the impact of the United States, the European Community, and the Soviet Union; and the "snowballing" phenomenon: change in one country stimulating change in others. Five key elite groups within and outside the nondemocratic regime played roles in shaping the various ways democratization occurred. Compromise was key to all democratizations, and elections and nonviolent tactics also were central. New democracies must deal with the "torturer problem" and the "praetorian problem" and attempt to develop democratic values and processes. Disillusionment with democracy, Huntington argues, is necessary to consolidating democracy. He concludes the book with an analysis of the political, economic, and cultural factors that will decide whether or not the third wave continues. Several "Guidelines for Democratizers" offer specific, practical suggestions for initiating and carrying out reform. Huntington's emphasis on practical application makes this book a valuable tool for anyone engaged in the democratization process. At this volatile time in history, Huntington's assessment of the processes of democratization is indispensable to understanding the future of democracy in the world. Huntington examines the causes, processes, and prospects of democratization since 1974, years during which more than 30 countries abandoned authoritarian rule. Drawing material from both the Second and Third Worlds, he explains why there was such a burst of democratization in this brief period after several lean decades of democratization. As Huntington explains recent democratic movements and considers political variables, several surprising findings emerge: relatively few transitions to democracy were accompanied by high levels of violence, either in the transition period to democracy or in its later consolidation period. The author also reflects on the obstacles and opportunities confronting the new democracies, and places considerable responsibility on the ability of democratic elites to control the democratic destiny of their countries. ISBN 0-8061-2346-X: $24.95 Since 1974, democratization has reached epidemic proportions in Latin America, east Asia, and eastern and southern Europe. Huntington (government, Harvard U.) explains the causes and nature of the transitions, and speculates on prospects for the newborn democracies. Expanded and updated from a November 1989 lecture at U. of Oklahoma. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR THE THIRD WAVE OF DEMOCRATIZATION in the modern world began, implausibly and unwittingly, at twenty-five minutes after midnight, Thursday, April 25, 1974, in Lisbon, Portugal, when a radio station played the song "Grandola Vila Morena." "An exceptionally important -- and also brilliant -- book". -- Zbigniew Brzezinski. "The most important single contribution to date, to the rapidly growing literature on democratization". -- Dankwart A. Rustow, Journal of Democracy 1. What? -- 2. Why? -- 3. How? Processes Of Democratization -- 4. How? Characteristics Of Democratization -- 5. How Long? -- 6. Whither? Samuel P. Huntington. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.