So many cases of democratization start with these episodes and this period of elite political violence where the initial stages of it have nothing to do with democratization. People are not aiming for that. People are barely even thinking about it. It's all about this elite political struggle and out of that chaos a bit later you get democracy.

Michael Miller

A full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com.

Michael Miller is a professor of political science and international relations at George Washington University and the author of the forthcoming book Shock to the System: Coups, Elections, and War on the Road to Democratization.

Key Highlights Include

• How violent shocks like coups and civil wars create openings for democratization
• Why autocratic ruling parties continue to win elections in democracies
• The role for democratic activists in the democratization process
• Discussions on possibilities for democracy in China, Belarus, and Myanmar.
• Mike offers a blueprint for an unconventional approach for democracy promotion

 Key Links

Shock to the System: Coups, Elections, and War on the Road to Democratization by Michael K. Miller

Follow Michael on Twitter @mkmdem

Learn more about Michael's work

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