This paper examines the relationship between economic openness and democratic transitions across different nations. It explores how varying levels of free trade influence democratization processes in unexpected ways.

### Data & Methods

The study analyzes data from multiple countries spanning several decades to identify patterns connecting trade policies with political change.

### Key Findings

Free trade agreements show mixed effects on democracy: promoting it in developed nations while potentially hindering transitions in developing economies. The mechanisms differ significantly across contexts, challenging simple assumptions about economic factors driving democratization.