Abstract
This paper looks into the practice of politics in the United States. The writer discusses the polarity in conservative/liberal political views, as represented by the two major political parties, the Democrats and the Republicans. The writer demonstrates that the significance of this study is to foster an understanding of how the pluralistic dimension of political discourse affects politics in the United States.

From the Paper
"The prevalent political culture of the United States has shaped the way politics are practiced. Political culture is the inherited set of beliefs, attitudes and opinions Americans have about how their government ought to operate. We know that there is an overall shared culture through information derived from voting, polls, books, speeches and what we see on the media. The foundation of political culture is based on certain common values including the freedoms in the Bill of Rights, liberty, equality, individual responsibility, democracy ... "

Tags:ideologies, political parties, democrat, republican, pluralistic society, rights, political culture

Abstract
This paper examines how the first democratically elected president in Russia, Boris Yeltsin, distanced himself from his initial political platform and how pioneering a new path in Russia is more involved than any democracy can guarantee. The author discusses how, since Yeltsin, the political system in Russia has moved in the right direction. However, it is still a hybrid system which requires more time and change to be implemented before Russia can become fully democratic.

From the Paper
"Boris Yeltsin was the first democratically elected president in Russia, but was he preaching democracy for the sake of the country, or was he preaching democracy because he inevitably wanted to open a free market and he used democracy as the system to incorporate change from the collapsed Soviet regime? Opening the market economy and accelerating the privatization of industry and land was initiated under the 500 day plan. (p.368). However, how were the Russian people supposed to relate and benefit from the open market if they didn't even understand the concept of an open market? Was the voucher system supposed to solve everything? The inability to understand the market or privatization is directly linked to how Yeltsin introduced these ideologies to society. The 1991 coup already ignited chaos among a restless society, coupled with Yeltsin's call to eradicate communism; these two events only provoked a sense of uncertainty and instability among the country. Was this path, cut out by Yeltsin, eventually going to lead to democracy for Russia? Were the citizens going to receive civil liberties and individual freedoms? Directly after the coup, prior to Yeltsin becoming president, Yeltsin outlawed the Communist Party in Russia and he closed down Communist newspapers. (p.373). Outlawing the communist party was Yeltsin's first action which linked him to the old Soviet regime. Even though he was closing down a Communist newspaper, which was a conflicting party with the Democratic Platform; censorship is clearly not a tool used in democracy, and Yeltsin was providing a clear sign that democracy was a long way ahead for Russia. This journey often left many people doubting whether Russia could ever become a democracy?"

Tags:democracy, USSR, communism, communists, soviet, russia

Abstract
This paper examines several recent attempts at democratization in the 20th century. The paper suggests that in Japan and Germany in the years following World War II, Allied attempts to foster the creation of democratic societies were successful to varying degrees. The paper then concludes that consequently many have drawn a parallel between democratization in those nations and current attempts to create a democratic society in Iraq.

From the Paper
"The Process of Democratization: How Does the Current Issue in Iraq Contrast with the Process in Post-World War II Germany and Japan? The process of democratization in a nation is not as simple and straightforward as many politicians would have us believe. This is evident when we examine several recent attempts at democratization in the 20th century. In Japan and Germany in the years following World War II, Allied attempts to foster the creation of democratic societies were successful to varying degrees."

Tags:democratization, japan, iraq

Abstract
This paper analyzes a 2000 article on democratization and international war entitled "War and Peace in Space and Time: The role of democratization" by Gleditsch and Ward. It further examines the purpose of the article as showing how democratization is linked to war proneness. The authors' data analysis methods are described.

From the Paper
"The purpose of the article was to present a discussion of democratization and international war. Specifically the authors show how democratization is linked to war proneness. The authors justified the study pointing out that this analysis focuses on temporal and spatial dependencies providing support for the claim that democratization reduces risk of war. This study used country-level data to assess the factors of temporal and spatial dependence in relationship..."

Tags:war, peace, democratization, data analysis

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses the matter of democratization in Hong Kong. The writer looks at activism in favor of democratization. Further the writer examines forces against democratization in Hong Kong.

From the Paper
"The issue of democratization in Hong Kong is one that has polarized the former British colony, now a part of the People's Republic of China. Since the handover proceedings in 1997 and in the years leading up to it, there has been a strong political activism in favor of democratization. And while it can be difficult in the West, sometimes, to imagine a people that would not be wholeheartedly in favor of increased democratization, there are equally strong forces in Hong Kong acting to resist democratization."

Tags:hong, kong, democratization

Abstract
The paper relates that in order to assess whether the World Trade Organization (WTO) is democratic, it is necessary to assess whether it meets the criteria for assessing levels of democracy in international institutions. The paper uses the criteria of transparency, openness to direct participation, quality of discourse and accessibility to all interested citizens, degree of representativeness, capacity to make decisions (that is, effectiveness), and fairness (both procedural and substantive. The paper argues that the WTO fails to meet sufficient criteria to be deemed democratic.

From the Paper
"In order to assess whether the World Trade Organization (WTO) is democratic, it is necessary to assess whether it meets the criteria for assessing levels of democracy in international institutions. These include transparency, openness to direct participation, quality of discourse and accessibility to all interested citizens, degree of representativeness, capacity to make decisions (that is, effectiveness), and fairness (both procedural and substantive. This essay will assess to what extent (if at all), the WTO meets these criteria. It will be argued that the WTO fails to meet sufficient criteria to be deemed democratic."

Tags:globalization, wto, democratic

Abstract
The purpose of this study is to review some of the existing literature on the subject of democratization in Iran. The goal is not to draw any specific conclusions about this political process or its prospects for success or failure. These are questions that can be examined and answered elsewhere. Instead the paper examines what current theorists are saying about the possibility of democratization in Iran and points out some existing trends in the literature that will guide further research into this issue.

From the Paper
"One of the most persistent discussions in the Western world, especially in political seats of power, in recent years has been the issue of Iran. Specifically, with Western and Islamic nations aligning themselves in direct conflict to one another, the possibility that Iran might develop nuclear weaponry is frightening for many Westerners. However, there is also increased discussion about the possibility of democratization in Iran. While this might seem a strange possibility given the general conception of Iran as an Islamic fundamentalist nation ruled with an authoritarian fist, the possibility is discussed seriously. Whereas recent U.S. efforts to democratize Iraq have been almost entirely imported, there is strong popular support for democratization in Iran. However, reconciling this popular demand with the authoritarian institutional structures in the nation is no easy task and should not be treated as such."

Tags:iran, democratization, literature

Abstract
This paper presents an evaluation of the democratic peace theory. It contends that in modern times there is no unambiguous case of a war between democratic states, even in situations where great-power rivalry was to be expected.

From the Paper
"Since the end of the Cold War a good deal of attention has been given to the so-called DPT or democratic peace theory. This theory proposes that states with democratic political ..."

Tags:democratic, peace, international, relations, war, realist, theory

Abstract
This well-researched paper, written as a proposal intended for a fictitious remote island in the South Pacific, details the basic principles needed to create a viable and prosperous democratic society. This paper contains selected texts from the U.S. Constitution, Federalist Papers and the Bill of Rights which are all crucial building blocks when instituting a democratic government. This paper also lays out a plan for creating an expedient and profitable economy by making use of existing resources such as land and agriculture.

From the Paper
"Given the fact that each state will have its own government for the conduct of its own internal affairs, Article IV is applicable since it contains provisions that pertain to the responsibility of the states to each other and of the central government to the states. This is an important part of the effort to conduct business in each region in such a way that the national interest will be upheld. I suggest that you adopt a similar set of measures to regulate internal affairs in the future as you become more involved in commerce with the rest of the world and with your neighbors in the Pacific."

Tags:democracy, government, history, democratic, society, united, states, bill, of, rights, constitution, plan

Abstract
This paper studies the democratization processes and outcomes in four countries: Kuwait, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. The paper employs a multi-unit comparison. The paper begins by looking at economic issues that shape the current geopolitical situation and process of democratization, examining, specifically the effect of oil wealth of the Middle East. Next the paper discusses several key variables such as national and religious culture, political structure and geographic location. The paper concludes by comparing and contrasting Muslim/Eastern and Western views.

From the Paper
"The research problem to be addressed centers upon the relationship between democratization and the economic system of the so-called renter state, specifically focusing on those states..."

Tags:democratization, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Venezuela