Leaving old elites alone can reinforce new democracies

Evidence

A second theoretical implication speaks to the study of democratic transitions and new democratic systems. These continued to be influenced by the active participation of “old regime” actors, and this influence could prove unexpectedly supportive of new democracies. Studies of political transitions have often emphasized the elimination or cooptation of the old elites by the new democratic governments as a way to ensure democratic consolidation. This analysis instead argues that once they are forced to exit from power, authoritarian parties can be left alone to regenerate and prove themselves anew to the voters and to other political actors. — Anna M. Grzymala-Busse, Redeeming The Communist Past, 1513

Categorization

• XREF: Speaks to the reader’s background interest in what sustains group solidarity — here the old elites prove themselves anew without an external enemy. — connects to: Discredited ancien regime parties can survive collapse and win power through regeneration — Anna M. Grzymala-Busse, Redeeming The Communist Past: The…, 46; Democracy can be ended and restored with the same tools — Katherine Stewart, The Power Worshippers: Inside the…, 1075

Broader Connections

• Discredited ancien regime parties can survive collapse and win power through regeneration #expands (0.85) — Anna M. Grzymala-Busse, Redeeming The Communist Past, 46