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
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
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
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 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

Abstract
This paper looks at democratization in the various former Soviet states, noting that many observers are optimistic about the prospects for democratization in many of these states. It looks at how the likelihood of democratization in the different states depends on a number of variable factors, such as regional history, economic and political stability and international pressures.

From the Paper
"The Soviet bloc disintegrated in 1989, and immediately many in the West began worrying as to whether these states would be able to achieve democratization or democratic consolidation or would be further damaged by the effort. A more recent assessment finds that many observers are optimistic about the prospects for democratization in many of these states. The likelihood of democratization in the different states depends on a number of variable factors, such as regional history, economic and political stability, and international pressures. Philip G. Roeder, for instance, first defines democracy as an ideal arrangement in which more than fifty percent of the population is able to remove or prevent the removal of leaders (13). "

Tags:russia, democracy, states

Abstract
The paper relates that Potter's "The Democratization of Third World states" is addressed as typical of Potter's 1990s view of transitions to democracy that were almost inevitable after the fall of the Soviet bloc; the heritage of colonial rule a prime obstruction. In contrast, the paper discusses how Wm Finnegan wrote for Harper's in order to reach a more popular audience on what Bush's repeated slogans of Democracy really mean to developing countries that may not gain from democratization at all, that too often means alignment with US policy and economic aims.

From the Paper
'David Potter served as professor of political science in the Open University from 1970 till beyond retirement age, a graduate of the University of California and the London School or Economics who taught through the 1960 in various American and Canadian universities. His work on the results of colonialism in different states and the work of building Third World democracies shaped a generation of scholars to examine historical and environmental factors, notably, in the 1990s as the paradigm changed in the South due to the collapse of the Soviet bloc, the shift to neo-liberal economics and a Third World debt crisis tackled by..."

Tags:d potter, w finnegan, democracy

Abstract
This essay considers three questions: whether development can encourage democratization; what is the best model for development; and whether development will encourage peace. The essay finds that development generally has encouraged democratization through the education of the masses and the devleopment of critical thinking and participatory skills, but that this may not hold in the newly developing world. The paper also finds that development will not encourage peace.

From the Paper
"Development requires education. The peasant using farming techniques developed a thousand years ago makes less of a contribution to the economic development than the software engineer doing outsourced work. Further, the software engineer requires a complex infrastructure which requires that large segments of the population be educated (Boo). Education involves the acquisition of knowledge and the development of critical thinking. While a factory worker may need to known only how to assemble parts according to set plans, a manager overseeing the allocation..."

Tags:development, china, enlightenment

Abstract
This paper looks at some of the arguments for and against the democratization of Hong Kong. The possible effects of democratization on global affairs are discussed. Also mentioned are the new anti-sedition laws passed by China's Communist government and the effects this would have on US-Chinese relations and Taiwan's independence. Some larger global issues are also mentioned in this article.

From the Paper
"It would seem absurd to suggest that any country's citizens does not want their country to become a democracy. We see daily news reports of citizens all over the world marching in demand to be allowed to hold free elections with universal suffrage. So why do two of the three major political parties in Hong Kong hold anti-democracy positions? This paper examines the reasons for and against democratization of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, who holds those opinions and what future possible repercussions might be. Protests and demonstrations of over 500,000 people have been held yearly in Hong Kong, demanding the democratic rights of free elections for all people of voting age in the SAR."

Tags:hong, kong, democracy

Abstract
This paper looks at the countries of Jordan, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia and the progress or lack of progress made in their democratization. The paper examines their progress by looking at the process of globalization and democracy as a global social movement. The paper also looks at the concepts of constitutional monarchies, capitalism, and democracy as well as the impact of the IMF/World Bank on global democratization.

From the Paper
"Heavy US and UN intervention in the Middle East in the past 20 years has had some substantial effects on the governmental and social structures of various countries in that region. A few specific countries can be used as geopolitical barometers to understand the relationships between monarchy and democracy and their effects on the Middle Eastern world, specifically Jordan, Morocco and Saudi Arabia. All of which are highly significant in international relationships, and all are in various states of democratization. Looking at these three countries we will understand the relationships between democracy and democratization and their cultures and political structures, as well as the countries' relationship to globalization and international affairs."

Tags:middle, east, democracy