Political Development (DP IB Global Politics: SL): Revision Note

Democratisation

• Political development refers to improvements in the political systems and processes that govern a state, including how citizens participate in decision-making and how governments are held to account

  • Development is a complex, multidimensional concept - it includes political, social, institutional and economic dimensions, all of which are interconnected

• Democratisation is the process of politically empowering citizens

  • A wide variety of actors believe that the best system to promote development is one that allows for the agency of citizens

    • Intergovernmental organisations including the United Nations, European Union, World Bank and International Monetary Fund 

    • Non-governmental organisations, including Save the Children, Freedom House and Democracy without Borders

    • Powerful democratic states including the USA, UK, Australia and Japan

    • Social movements, resistance movements and many activists

• The relationship between democracy and development, particularly economic development, can be challenged

  • China is frequently cited as a challenge to the idea that democratisation is a prerequisite for development

    • Under the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), China has achieved rapid and sustained economic development, lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty since the 1980s

  • However, critics argue this has come at the cost of political and social development

    • Citizens have limited political rights, independent media is restricted, and political opposition is suppressed

• This situation raises a key debate: is economic development possible, or even faster, without democratisation, and does that matter?

Government accountability

• Government accountability means that governments and their officials must explain and provide evidence of their actions to citizens

  • Essentially this means the government works for the citizen - the principle most often associated with democracies

• Government accountability is essential for development because without it, corruption can thrive

• In a state with little or no government accountability:

  • Money that should be spent on infrastructure, healthcare, education and public works ends up in the pockets of politicians, corrupt officials and business leaders

  • Governments may award public works and infrastructure projects to companies for reasons other than them being the most capable

• Although democracies hold governments accountable if free and fair elections are in place, corruption can still take place in these states