Author(s)

Zixuan Zhang ¹

Affiliation(s)

¹ WLSA Shanghai Academy, Shanghai, China

Corresponding Author

Zixuan Zhang

ABSTRACT

This article challenges the common belief that democracy is inherently good, arguing that in developing countries, it often fails to deliver economic growth or effective governance. Instead, democracy can perpetuate colonial legacies and elite control. The author cites cases like South Korea, where authoritarian rule initially enabled rapid development before transitioning to democracy. In many developing nations, weak infrastructure and widespread poverty hinder democratic success. Moreover, democratic systems are vulnerable to lobbying and elite influence, which can undermine reforms and harm public trust. Therefore, democracy is not a one-size-fits-all solution for all nations.

KEYWORDS

Democracy, Developing Countries, Economic Development, Governance, Elite Influence

CITE THIS PAPER

Zixuan Zhang, The Consequences of Excessive Democratization in Developing Countries. Journal of Sociology and Ethnology (2025) Vol. 7: 1-5. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.23977/jsoce.2025.070301.

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