The Quality of Democracy and its Determinants. A Comparative Analysis of 60 Countries

Abstract

This paper examines, in a comparative way, the quality of democracy in 60 countries. Six aspects of democratic quality are identified and this conclusion is the result of an factorial analysis, an aggregate indicator. This shows a big contrast between the countries. There are differences between the “north” and “south” democracy. The multiple regression analysis shows that social capital is the main reason of these differences and the democratic experience also influences democracy quality. The analysis disagrees with the structural thesis of literature because it doesn.’t find significant the economic development and the inequality. The analysis also shows that majoritary electoral systems have got better quality of democracy and the multipartidism doesn.’t affect negatively the quality of democracy.