The Failure of Democratic Nation Building: Ideology Meets Evolution

Somit, A.; Peterson, S.

ISBN 10: 1403967814 / ISBN 13: 9781403967817

Editore: Palgrave Macmillan, 2005

In. Codice articolo ria9781403967817_new

Riassunto:

Throughout history authoritarian governments have outnumbered democratic ones to an overwhelming degree. Even today, true democracies are an exception. In this book, Somit and Peterson argue that the main reason for this pattern is that humans are social primates with an innate tendency for hierarchical and authoritarian social and political structures. Democracy requires very special 'enabling conditions' before it can be supported by a state, conditions that require decades to evolve. As a result, attempts to export democracy through nation-building to states without these enabling conditions are doomed to failure. The authors argue that money and energy devoted to nation-building around the globe by the U.S. would be better spent on problems facing the country domestically.

Informazioni sugli autori: ALBERT SOMIT is Professor Emeritus at Southern Illinois University, USA. He has served as Executive Vice-President of SUNY-Buffalo and President of Southern Illinois University. He is a pioneer of biopolitics.

STEVEN A. PETERSON is Professor of Politics, Penn State University at Harrisburg, USA and Director of its School of Public Affairs. He has authored or edited 15 books, mostly in the area of public policy. His research interests include political behaviour, political psychology, and biology and politics.

Steven A. Peterson is Professor of Politics, Pennsylvania State University at Harrisburg and Director of its School of Public Affairs.Albert Somit is Professor Emeritus at Southern Illinois University.

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Titolo: The Failure of Democratic Nation Building: ...
Casa editrice: Palgrave Macmillan
Data di pubblicazione: 2005
Legatura: Rilegato
Condizione: New