Using political science literature focused on democratic transitions and peace-making this paper explores the possibilities of a negotiated democratic transition in Venezuela. Often is the pacted...Show moreUsing political science literature focused on democratic transitions and peace-making this paper explores the possibilities of a negotiated democratic transition in Venezuela. Often is the pacted transitions considered to be the most lucrative path to a democracy due to its peaceful nature. However, domestic challenges in Venezuela make a sustainable transition to democracy challenging. Venezuela has seen massive levels of democratic backsliding under the presidency of both Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro. Particularly, Maduro’s presidency has been riddled with severe economic crisis and human rights abuses. While the international community has been involved for several years, their use of negotiations and sanctions have not been successful in causing a regime change. By analyzing the literature on Venezuela and policy papers I identify the obstacles to a democratic transition. As the COVID-19 pandemic made a deep impact on the world, I will also analyze whether the pandemic has created incentives for the regime to democratize or if it has made the regime’s hold on power stronger.Show less
This thesis aims to uncover what factors explain the quality of democratic consolidation, whilst focussing on the recently transitioned democracies of Eastern and Central Europe. Building upon...Show moreThis thesis aims to uncover what factors explain the quality of democratic consolidation, whilst focussing on the recently transitioned democracies of Eastern and Central Europe. Building upon literature by scholar David Beetham, the thesis provides a framework of conditions that influence democratic consolidation. The thesis then uses this framework to analyse the quality of democratic consolidation concerning two opposites on the spectrum of democratic consolidation in Eastern and Central Europe: Hungary and Estonia. From this analysis, the thesis concludes that economic growth, quality of education, antidemocratic behaviour, and the proportionality of the electoral system are the conditions that best explain the contrasting outcomes regarding the quality of democratic consolidation in Hungary and Estonia.Show less
