Political decay
Political decay is a political theory, originally described in 1965 by Samuel P. Huntington,[1][2] which describes how chaos and disorder can arise from social modernization increasing more rapidly than political and institutional modernization. Huntington provides different definitions for political development and describes the forms of political decay according to the various definitions. Huntington focuses primarily on political development as modernization and institutionalization. However, he points to the different definitions of political development as being arbitrary ways to understanding the rise of political systems and the relationship between the political systems of different nations.
Political decay is a widespread ailment that affects every society. As
Political development
Huntington identifies two characteristics of political development. The first is that development is synonymous with
Modernization
According to Huntington's definition of political development as modernization, political decay is the opposite of the linear idea of
Institutional
Under the framework of political development as institutional development, political decay occurs when institutions fail to change or adapt when they become unnecessary due to social or economic changes.
Instability
Different social and economic factors contribute to both the political development as well as the political decay of nations. Outside forces such as foreign governments affect the stability of established governments due to contrasting social institutions or economic interests. In order to be considered stable, government procedures and institutions must maintain autonomy and be resistant to outside agents.[1]: 402 The social and economic forces that established political stability could change or disappear, leading to internal instability.[6] Economic development, such as shifts from agriculture-based economy to manufacturing-based economy, as well as economic collapse, can also lead to political instability. Social developments, such as the proliferation of literacy, lead to the rise and spread of new ideas.[citation needed]
Political instability
Political instability occurs when one faction in a state's government is in opposition with another faction or with another institution in the government. Political instability occurred during the late 18th century in France and other parts of Europe during the 19th century. Political development in France, such as the development of the bureaucracy and other institutions, led to a greater demand for meritocracy and greater political conflict among the ruling class.[9] Sri Lanka saw a period of political instability following elections in 1994 caused by the ambitions of political leaders. The elected President Chandrika Kumaratunga attempted to change the constitution and dissolve the parliament in order to remain in power, leading to sudden changes in the structure of the law-making body.[10]
In some cases, a political breakdown can occur within the framework of a state's constitution. India has provisions in its constitution which grant leaders the power to breach or oppose the constitution in cases of emergency. These breaches of the state law from within the political system can lead to political decay.[11]
Social developments
Huntington's model of political development and decay describes elements such as industrialization, urbanization, education and literacy as social developments that create instability. The presence of violent conflict is not always indicative of social decay. Due to the complex character of state-building and shifts in political systems, violence is not a reliable indicator of political decay or development.[12] The socialization of law is a process by which legislation is changed in order to adapt to economic and social changes. Socialization of law is one of the forces that opposes political decay within Huntington's structure of modernization, by ensuring that the political institutions in place are resistant to social instability.[13]
Updated by Fukuyama
Huntington's former student, Francis Fukuyama, has developed the theory of political decay by analysing the sclerosis of democratic institutions in the United States and elsewhere. Here he argues that political institutions have been too slow to keep up with the country's changing circumstances due to their institutional inertia behind a status quo. For example, in the United States, the emerging financial oligarchy is entrenching income and wealth inequality and reducing social mobility which is leading to a breakdown in society, the social contract and confidence in the government. [14]
The second of Fukuyama's two volumes on political order,
References
- ^ S2CID 154009538.
- ^ "Samuel P. Huntington (1927–2008)". Journal of Democracy. Retrieved 2023-08-02.
- ^ Vallianatos, Evaggelos (2012-01-22). "Political Decay". Truthout. Retrieved 2023-08-02.
- ^ Geller, Daniel S. "Economic Modernization and Political Instability: A Casual Analysis of Bureaucratic-Authoritarianism" The Western Political Quarterly 35, no. 1 (March 1982): 45
- ^ Halvorson, Dan. States of Disorder: Understanding State Failure and Intervention in the Periphery. Burlington, VT: Ashgate Publishing Company, 2013. 19
- ^ ISBN 0374533229.
- ^ Boyd, James Harrington (July 1924). "Permanence of the American Democracy". American Journal of Sociology. 30 (1): 3.
- ^ Young, Crawford (1984). "Zaire: Is There a State?". Canadian Journal of African Studies. 18 (2): 80–82.
- ^ Gillis, John R. "Political Decay and the European Revolutions, 1789-1848." World Politics 22, no. 3 (April 1970): 344-370.
- ^ DeVotta, Niel. "Sri Lanka in 2004: Enduring Political Decay and a Failing Peace Process." Asian Survey 15, no. 1 (January/February 2005: 98-104
- ^ Hart, Henry C. "The Indian Constitution: Political Development and Decay." Asian Survey 20, no. 4 (April 1980): 428-451
- ^ Cohen, Youssef, Brown, Brian R., Orgnaski, A.F.K. "The Paradoxical Nature of State Making: The Violent Creation of Order." The American Political Science Review 75, no. 4 (December 1981): 901-910
- ^ Boyd, James Harrington. "Permanence of the American Democracy." American Journal of Sociology 30, no. 1 (July 1924): 1-21
- ^ Fukuyama, 2011 The origins of political order: from prehuman times to the French Revolution