Twilight of Democratic Consolidation

Abstract

Democratic consolidation is a political science theory that identifies a point at which democracies have achieved immortality. We believe this previously unexamined theory is a flawed concept based on two reasons. Firstly, we will note how previous research has sought different “missing ingredients,” such as a democratic culture, a particular constitution, or economic development, which create a consolidated democracy. We find there are no such missing ingredients. Secondly, this theory assumes that democracies are the most stable type of government, and thus are the ultimate end goal of government systems. We will question the fundamental stability of democracy. Due to the sheer scope of this project, however, this proposal is limited to a theoretical critique of democratic consolidation. We argue that democratic consolidation is a concept that has outlived its usefulness. We hope to apply this critique to future projects in order to shift the conversation regarding democracy and current instability from Poland to Venezuela.