Introduction to Democratization andDemocratic Constitution

Presented by

Aung Ko Ko Toe

Knowledge Propagation Society

Mandalay

• Transitional Process

1. Transition2. Liberalization3. Consolidation

• Definition of Democratization

1. transition to a more democratic political regime. 2. transition from an authoritarian regime to a full democracy3. transition from an authoritarian political system to a semi-democracy 4. transition from a semi-authoritarian political system

to a democratic political system.

Democratization - Political Science approach

Democratic transitions are the change from the original non-democratic regime (dictatorship) to a democratic regime.

A successful transition to democracy involves - removing the old non-democratic regime; - creation of democratic institutions and- establishment of democratic procedures.

 

Democratization

- Political Science approach  Democratic consolidation means stabilization of these democratic institutions and procedures and achieving their acceptance by all important actors in a given country

- political parties,- the army, - religious institutions,- various important non-governmental organizations, etc

It is important to be aware that democratic transition may or may notend in democratic consolidation.

Two Condition;

- a risk of returning to a non-democratic type of regime. - a hybrid form of semi-authoritarianism.

• Pre-Conditions Necessary for Successful

Democratization

WealthEducationThe Resource CurseCivil SocietyMiddle ClassSocial EqualityCultureHomogenous Population

• Myanmar for Successful Democratization

Hypothesis of Francis Fukurama

-Economic Growth

- State Building- Rule of Law- Social Mobilization

Types of Transitions  

A top-down (elite-controlled) change from within government (Examples: Spain, Hungary).

Negotiated reform of the regime and the government (Examples: South Africa, Poland)

A bottom-up (people power) change: Regime breakdown and the collapse of authoritarianism under the pressure of mass protests

(Examples: the Philippines, Czechoslovakia).

• For Question to Change

Autocratic regime

Strong

Strong

Weak

Weak

Democratic challenger

Weak

Strong

Weak

Strong

Autocratic regime Democratic challenger Outcome 

Strong Weak Regime remains Strong Strong Regime liberalizesWeak Weak Regime remains Weak Strong Democratic

breakthrough 

Democratic Constitution

• Democratic Structure

- Democracy- Separation of Power for Regime  (How to Distribution of Power)- Institutions- Independent Agencies

Constitution

• Definition of Constitution

The constitution is the public law,providing how a government is structured and operates.

A constitution is a contract concerned with Rights and Duties between government and people.

The Constitution says how the government works. It creates the President.It creates the legislation.It creates the Supreme Court.

• Organ of Constitution

there are three organs

- how various agencies are organized- what power is entrusted to those agencies- in what manner such power is to be exercised

• Make up the Constitution

the 7 basis ideas

1. Popular Sovereignty

2. Limited Government

3. Separation of Powers

4. Checks and Balances

5. Judicial Review 

6. Individual rights

7. Federalism

Popular Sovereignty

- Leadership succession though election

- Elections ensure that key position in government will be

contested at periodic intervals and that the transfer of governmental

authority is accomplished in a peaceful and orderly process.

Majority rules but not rules by majority.

Minority rights must be protected from the tyranny of the

Majority.

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Rule of Law

Constitutional Court

Judicial Review

Judicial branch interprets the law (Courts)

The interpreter or final judge on what the Constitution says and means.

The powers of a court to determine the constitutionality of a governmental action.

Judicial Review

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• Federalism

Definition – A system of government in which powers are divided by the state and national government.

National Government, Federal Government, Central Government

Regional Government, State Government, local Government

• FederalismCore of Federal

Decentralization State- vertical division of power between member units and shared institutions.- Combination of Self-rule and Shared rules

Constitutional Defined and Protected (Guaranteed)

Decentralization + Constitutional Guarantee Federalism

• Decentralization- have 3 steps

1. Decision Making2. Budget Sharing3. Elected by Bottom

Decision Making Power - Manage to resources

* is very deep decentralization

• Federalism

Why Federalism

- Big Territories & Large Population

- Pluralism of Society

- Lower Level of Government Check and Balance

- Foster Peace

- Economic Reasons

The Supremacy Clause(Article VI, Section 2)

City and Country Laws

State Statues (laws)

State Constitutions

Acts of Congress

United States Constitution

The U.S. Constitution is the “Supreme

Law of the Land.”

If there is a conflict

between a lower law and a higher one, the

higher one “wins.”

Thank….