Where to draw the line? From degree to dichotomy in measures of democracy

Bibliographic Data

ID6253820
AuthorsMatthijs Bogaards (0000-0001-8026-0862, Constructor University, corresponding author)
Year2012
Volume19
Issue4
Pages690-712
Publication date2012-08-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueDemocratization (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1351-0347 • E-ISSN: 1743-890X
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13510347.2011.613563
OpenAlexW2132975879
LanguageEN
Citations received39
References cited103

While there is much debate about the merits of dichotomous versus continuous measures of democracy, surprisingly little attention is paid to the question as to how to go from degree to dichotomy. This study identifies no less than 38 different ways in which Freedom House and Polity scores have been used to distinguish between democracies and non-democracies. The analysis shows that it is difficult to draw the line in measures of democracy, even for Freedom House and Polity themselves. These problems are illustrated with the help of a recent study on democratization in Africa. The conclusion formulates some guidelines for good practice and points at the potential of disaggregated scores to distinguish between democracy and dictatorship

Democracy · Democratization · Dictatorship · Economics · Law and economics · Liberal democracy · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Polity · Positive economics · Sociology · International Development and Aid · Law · Political Conflict and Governance · Religion and Society Interactions