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The main aim of this thesis is to explore the operation of the ideological discourse in Turkey that 'liberalisation in economy brings liberalisation in politics'. This early claim of the modernization theorists has been renewed in the age of globalization with the assumption that the state is in decline; statism in the economy is corning to end and as a result of this, democracy, civil society and citizenship are flourishing.

LL.M. / This study seeks to investigate the extent to which the state fails to comply with its constitutional and legal duties, and the impact of this failure on democracy. The study determines the effect of such failure and assesses the effectiveness of existing compliance mechanisms in ensuring the state fulfills its constitutional and legal duties. The duties imposed on the state must be complied with to ensure the legitimacy of the Constitution remains intact. State compliance with these duties forms an essential foundation of the Constitution. It is accepted in this study that the manner in and extent to which the state fails to comply with its duties impacts the status of the Constitution and the development of democracy in South Africa. There are two ways in which the state may fail to comply with its duties: 1. The first instance is where the state bona fide misinterprets legislation. 2. The second instance is where the state negligently ignores its duties or wilfully disregards its duties or takes on “imagined powers”. This study concerns itself with this second instance of non-compliance. The question not only concerns the extent of state non-compliance with its duties. The question also becomes, what are the ramifications if the state does not comply with its duties? What would be the consequences if the state wilfully, with mala fide intent or by the use of “imagined powers” neglects or ignores its duties? What would be the effect on the development and sustainability of democracy in South Africa? What are the existing compliance mechanisms and are they effective enough to ensure state compliance with its duties? The study endeavours to explore these questions. The study looks at a series of court cases illustrating the extent to which the state has so far failed to act in compliance with its duties. The study attempts to determine whether such non-compliance was merely a mistake or whether the state acted with some form of wilfulness or neglect. The study looks at the existing mechanisms and watchdogs that ensure state compliance with the Constitution and briefly examines whether they are effective. Other possible mechanisms that may strengthen control over state compliance are also considered. The study first looks at the duties of the state and the existing control mechanisms. Then a selection of cases are analysed to determine in what manner and to what extent the state is failing to comply with its constitutional duties. The study then assesses the current control mechanisms to determine whether they are effective in enforcing state compliance with its duties. Lastly, the study examines other possibilities and alternative mechanisms that may be introduced to secure state compliance.

President Hugo Chavez was first elected President of Venezuela in 1998 on an anti-neoliberal platform that promised “power to the people” via processes of state-grassroots collaboration. The current process of social change is framed within a wider discourse and policy that aims to build “Socialism for the 21st Century” through the development of new forms of political, social and economic engagement based on new conceptualisations and practices of democratic participation. Central to this process are the Communal Councils and Social Missions; initiated by the government not only to provide essential services, but also to help educate and encourage marginalised individuals and communities to organise and mobilise for change. Supporters argue that the “Bolivarian Revolution” is promoting social inclusion, protagonist participation and the redistribution of power. On the other hand many critics see Chavez’s reforms to date as an outmoded, top-down model of social change or as a classical populist project that serves to consolidate authoritarian social structures. Based on extensive fieldwork in Caracas from January 2009 to April 2010, I look beyond the rhetoric to uncover whether or not the ongoing processes of social change have contributed to new forms of political awareness and popular agency and whether or not there has been a transformation of power relations and structures. In doing so I contribute to theoretical debates into how radical change can be achieved in the 21st century, through a focus on grassroots movements, education and their changing relationship with the state.

This paper discusses the involvement of the African Union in addressing the issues of democratisation. Focuses on the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Union and the Peace and Security Council. Gives an overview of all treaties and declarations adopted by the African Union. / Thesis (LLM (Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa)) -- University of Pretoria, 2007. / A Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Law University of Pretoria, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Masters of Law (LLM in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa). Prepared under the supervision of Dr Patrice VAHARD of the Faculty of Law, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. / http://www.chr.up.ac.za/ / Centre for Human Rights / LLM

It is generally acknowledged that development is impossible in the absence of true democracy, respect for human rights, peace and good governance1 Good governance and human rights are mutually reinforcing. In turn, ‘good governance and good public administration are essential aspects of democracy and for achieving democracy a freely functioning, well organised, vibrant and responsible civil society is indispensable.’Democracy presupposes free elections, functioning political parties, independent media and active civil society organisations (CSOs) that can operate freely.4 Human rights are better promoted and protected in a democratic system.5 Accordingly it is submitted that a measure taken by a government which undermines key elements and role players of such a system tends to undermine the protection and promotion of human rights. / Thesis (LLM (Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa)) -- University of Pretoria, 2010. / A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Law University of Pretoria, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Masters of Law (LLM in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa). Prepared under the supervision of Mrs. Christina Dowuona-Hammond at the Faculty of Law, University of Leyon, Ghana. 2010. / http://www.chr.up.ac.za/ / Centre for Human Rights / LLM

The rapidly changing political environment in our Western liberal democracies poses a big challenge not only to elected representatives but also to scholars. In this dissertation thesis I describe and clarify the main principles and ideas of the three currently most dominant, debated and promising democratic theories, namely participatory democracy, deliberative democracy and Mouffe's agonistic pluralism. Their criticisms and the most important polemics are included as well. The first theory introduced in dissertation's theoretical part is participatory democracy, which is heavily neglected in the Slovak academia. It is presented especially through the prism of Carole Pateman's, C.B. Macpherson's and Benjamin Barber's writings. Their ideas on civic engagement in public life appear to be noteworthy again, especially in the light of the changing conditions of democratic citizenship - particularly in regards to the EU-wide decline in voter turnout, increasing income inequality, downgrade of social solidarity and cooperation, growing intolerance or dissatisfaction with representative democracy and its institutions. This theory has been verified on the example of the European Citizens' Initiatives (ECI), which are deemed to be one of most promising political tools adjusting EU's democratic deficit....

This dissertation addresses a question fundamental to democratic government: Under what conditions are bureaucrats responsive to citizens and elected officials?

Democratization in China has been receiving attention from all over the world. In the US, a large percentage of media reports about China contribute to report democratization related political issues. And as a mainland Chinese citizen living under an undemocratic regime, I have always felt compelled to do research on democratization in China society. This thesis describes a research study conducted to understand how Chinese people understand the notion of democracy, and with this notion how they perceive to democratize their society. The result of this research's analysis shows that Chinese people view democracy similar to a western notion; and they believe to help Chinese public to develop democratic cultural values is the most important in the course of democratizing China society. In common words, to democratize people would eventually democratize the society. This research works on data collected from the internet. The use of internet data is money saving and helps explore research on internet data. This research hopefully can provide a reference view for Chinese people themselves and people who care about China in understanding the current situation and predicting the prospect of democratization in China. And with a better understanding Chinese people might be able to take more strategic steps and earn strategic support from the world in the course of democratization of China's society.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / This thesis makes a theoretical review of the microfinance argument, which claims that microfinance would be accompanied with democratization or consolidation of democracy. This thesis firstly analyzes the theory of modern microfinance, especially its propensity of converting borrowers into modern citizens. Secondly, this thesis analyzes five major theories supporting the microfinance argument: (a) modernization and economic development, (b) economic fairness, (c) gender justice, (d) social capital, and (e) civil society. In addition, this thesis reviews critical perspectives of these five theories and makes a general discussion. Finally, this thesis concludes the reasonableness and limitation of the microfinance argument.