Abstract
Democratization and repression maintain a complicated relationship through transitional periods in regimes. In these transitional regimes, does democratization decrease repression? In this paper, I focus on the effects of democratic institutionalization on the reduction of repression, arguing that this relationship exists only in the case where democratic institutionalization has established constraints to the utilization of repression in a regime. I test this theory through a method of difference four-case study focusing on Central America. I review Nicaragua, Honduras, Mexico, and Costa Rica to better understand the transitional democratization of regimes in Central America. I find that institutionalization is more indicative of improvements in repressive conditions than democratization, congruent with my hypothesis that democratization alone is not sufficient. Ultimately, it is important to better understand processional democratic development, specifically in those regions historically plagued by democratic backslide and unstable transition.
Advisor
Krain, Matthew
Department
Global and International Studies; Political Science
Recommended Citation
Jones, Elise, "The Authoritarian Backslide: Democratization and Repression in Transitional Regimes" (2024). Senior Independent Study Theses. Paper 11202.
https://openworks.wooster.edu/independentstudy/11202
Disciplines
Central American Studies | Comparative Politics | International Relations | Latin American Languages and Societies | Latin American Studies
Keywords
democratization, repression, Central America, institutionalization
Publication Date
2024
Degree Granted
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type
Senior Independent Study Thesis
© Copyright 2024 Elise Jones