Political Convergence
An Empirical Assessment
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 6412243 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Daniel N Nelson, Daniel Ν Nelson (University of Kentucky, corresponding author) |
| Year | 1978 |
| Volume | 30 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 411-432 |
| Publication date | 1978-04-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | World Politics (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0043-8871 • E-ISSN: 1086-3338 |
| Publisher | Project MUSE (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.2307/2009873 |
| OpenAlex | W2000330845 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 6 |
| References cited | 16 |
When detente emerged as the focal point of American foreign policy in the early 1970's, the issue of whether or not communist political systems were becoming more like Western democracies over time (i.e., “converging”) was raised. This paper assesses political scientists' efforts to analyze such a hypotheses, particularly the implication that socioeconomic changes called “development” and “modernization” co-vary with fundamental political change. After identifying three components of the convergence hypothesis—pluralism, nationalism, and legitimacy—the author examines published research for empirical evidence regarding these phenomena. He stresses the similarities and differences of political change among communist states. Convergence theory is found to be inadequate in most respects for understanding the relationships between socioeconomic and political changes, although various political trends (such as pluralization) are evident
Communism · Convergence (economics · Development economics · Economic growth · Economic system · Economics · Epistemology · Legitimacy · Modernization theory · Pluralism (philosophy · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Population · Positive economics · Socioeconomic status · Sociology · Eastern European Communism and Reforms · International Relations and Foreign Policy · Law · Soviet and Russian History
What is an emancipatory peace
A prelude to revisionism? The stalemated peace model and the emergence of multipolarity in international order
Adam Michnik’s Understanding of Totalitarianism and the West European Left
National Styles and Policy Sectors
Convergence and Counteraction
The origins of neoliberalism between Soviet socialism and Western capitalism
Political power
Change in Communist systems
Interest Groups in Soviet Politics
The Social Education of Bulgarian Youth
The Changing Party Elite in East Germany, by Peter C. Ludz
Dilemmas of Change in Soviet Politics
The Soviet Bloc
Prospects for Soviet Society
Eastern Europe in Transition
The Changing Party Elite in East Germany
Socioeconomic and Political Change in Communist Europe
Political Systems as Residual Variables
Comparative Economic Systems
Soviet Elite Participatory Attitudes in the Post-Stalin Period
Group Influence and the Policy Process in the Soviet Union
| Unique citing works | 6 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,13 |
| Citation span | 1980 - 2025 (46) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 6 |