Sfârşitul paradigmei tranziţiei
The End of the Paradigm of Tranzition

Summary/Abstract: The transition paradigm relies on five core assumptions: (i) any departure from authoritarianism can be considered a move towards democracy; (ii) democracy unfolds in a predetermined sequence of steps; (iii) elections are a crucial test; (iv) there are no special prerequisites of democracy; (v) the third wave of democratization takes place in coherent, functioning states. In fact, in a way or another, the experience of the last decade proved that these assumptions cannot be taken for granted. As a result, while the number of states qualified as dictatorships has reduced, the intermediary category of pseudo-democracies has swollen. The new regimes display either the syndrome of feckless pluralism, or that of dominant-power politics. Both are stable in the long run and detrimental to the quality of democratic life. If foreign assistance for democratization is to be effective, it must address the specific core syndrome that affects the political system in a country, and integrate the democracybuilding and socio-economic aid.

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