Democracy as Human Empowerment: The Role of Ordinary People in the Emergence and Survival of Democracy

"This article argues that “human empowerment” is the most important driving force behind effective democratization. Though elite agreements are central to establish nominal democracy, effective democracy does not emerge because elites concede it to the masses, but because ordinary people become increasingly capable and willing to place effective mass pressures on the elites. Effective democracy is thus the outcome of a broader process of 'human empowerment.'" Source: Center for the Study of Democracy. Paper 08-03. U.C. Irvine

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