Democratic Consolidation in Developing Nations: Comparing Mongolia and Kyrgyzstan's Divergent Paths

• In Event: Democracy, Social Movements and Civil Society

Abstract

Mongolia's transition to and consolidation of a democratic system presents a compelling puzzle in the field of regime transition studies. This puzzle arises from the seeming contradiction between Mongolia's successful democratic trajectory and both its economic underdevelopment and the regional tendency for post-communist states to lean toward authoritarian governance. Previous theories on democratization have often emphasized higher levels of economic development as conducive to successful transitions. This case challenges such theories.

To explore this puzzle, this study uses a controlled comparative case study design. It examines the post-communist regime trajectories of Mongolia and Kyrgyzstan, seeking to assess why Mongolia achieved democratic consolidation while Kyrgyzstan did not. Both countries share a history of communism, nomadic traditions, and relatively low levels of economic development. The study focuses specifically on the potential roles of three independent variables: civil society strength, political party development, and supportive international influences.

This controlled comparison methodology offers an opportunity to explore the dynamics of democratic consolidation in developing nations. The project seeks to enhance our current understanding of democratization and identify factors that may be particularly crucial for establishing stable democracies within less-developed contexts and those without strong historical precedents for democratic governance.

Author

• Ryan Hitch, The Graduate Center, City University of New York