This article critiques the 'Emancipatory Theory' of democratization, highlighting its theoretical gaps.
Data & Methods: The analysis synthesizes findings from comparative politics studies and political transition research.
Key Findings:
- Traditional theories often overlook non-liberal democratic outcomes in their focus on institutional change.
- Emancipatory approaches may understate the constraints placed by existing power structures during transitions.
- Synthesizing diverse empirical findings reveals significant contradictions within contemporary democratization scholarship.
Why It Matters: This comparative analysis offers a more nuanced understanding of democratic processes, challenging assumptions about universal pathways toward democracy.
