1. Two patterns of democratization; 2. The old regime and the conservative dilemma; 3. From 1688 to mass politics: British democratization; 4. A virtuous cycle? Conservative strength and Britain's settled path, 1884-1906; 5. Averting a democratic disaster in Britain, 1906-1922; 6. Weak party conservatism and the case of Germany; 7. Stalled democratization in Germany before 1914; 8. The unsettled path: conservative weakness in Weimar Germany, 1918-1928; 9. A deluge: conservative weakness and democratic breakdown in Germany; 10. How countries democratize: Europe and beyond.
Summary:
"Today, political democracies, new and old alike, are under siege. Understanding the circumstances of their origins and early survival in Europe helps us not only grasp how new democracies emerge, but also offers insight into the sources of potential resilience in today's old democracies. For countries democratizing today, old regime elite party organization can help democracy thrive, no matter whether those old elites are aristocrats, single-party leaders, or modern-day tyrants; democracy depends on the buy-in of these groups, and political parties offer one route to that end"-- Provided by publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.