Towards a Democratic Developmental State

The author assesses different views on the relationship between democracy & development in the context of the new democracies of the developing world & concludes that effective developmental performance is crucial for consolidating the new regimes. We should therefore direct our attention to investigating the concrete ways in which democratic institutions can be crafted to create an effective democratic developmental state. This involves action in three arenas of institutional reform: the state system itself, political society (notably party systems) & civil society. To the extent that the dual goals of democratisation & development cannot be achieved in tandem, these societies face the future danger of a mutually reinforcing downward spiral of economic & political decline. Adapted from the source document.