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Intro -- Acknowledgements -- Contents -- List of Figures -- List of Tables -- Chapter 1 Introduction -- 1.1 Research Question and Aim -- 1.2 Perspectives on State Formation as a Process -- 1.3 Research Design -- 1.4 Disposition -- References -- Chapter 2 A Comparative Framework of State Formation -- 2.1 The Concept and Modes of State Formation -- 2.2 State Formation as a Process -- 2.3 Actors of State Formation -- 2.4 Demand Phase -- 2.5 Response Phase -- 2.6 Reaction Phase -- 2.7 Decisive Phase -- 2.8 Implementation Phase -- 2.9 Duration of State Formation -- 2.10 Conclusions About Phases of State Formation -- References -- Chapter 3 Paths to Independence -- 3.1 Introduction -- 3.2 Combinations of Phases -- 3.3 Connection Between Modes of Phases: Correlation Analyses -- 3.4 Cluster Analyses of Phases -- 3.5 Paths to Independence and the Structure of Actors -- 3.6 Conclusions About Paths to Independence -- References -- Chapter 4 Paths to Independence and Democracy -- 4.1 Introduction -- 4.2 Theoretical Expectations About Paths to Independence and Democratization of Initial Regimes -- 4.3 Democratization of Initial Regimes: Concept and Measurement -- 4.4 Modes of Phases and Initial Regimes -- 4.5 Paths to Independence and Initial Regimes -- 4.6 Clusters of Paths to Independence and Initial Regimes -- 4.7 Robustness Analyses -- 4.8 Structures of Actors and Initial Regimes -- 4.9 Integrated Analyses with Control Variables -- 4.10 Robustness Analyses: Multivariate Models -- 4.11 Prediction of Democratization Based on State Formation -- 4.12 Conclusions About Paths to Independence and Democracy -- References -- Chapter 5 The Legacy of Initial Regimes and Democratization in New States -- 5.1 Introduction -- 5.2 Initial Regime as a Critical Juncture.

This book examines the connection between two major developments in the world: state-formation and democratization. Since 1946, the number of states has increased from 66 to almost 200 independent states, but our knowledge of these state-formation processes is limited. The authors present a new database on state-formation and democratization, which enables novel classifications and analyses of these processes on the global level. They argue that the form of state-formation affects the probability for democratization in new states and that the initial regime that state-formation establishes at the time of independence has long-term effects on new states' democratization.

AbstractThe death penalty is a unique form of punishment as it is the most consequential penalty with no options for reversibility. Politically, it is a highly controversial form of punishment, the usage of which varies strongly between and within countries over time. Existing databases on death penalty usage generally cover a time period from the 1950s and onwards. In this article, we introduce a new database that covers the period 1800–2022 for all currently independent countries in the world. We provide a yearly categorization of death penalty status as well as changes of the status. In descriptive analyses, we show how the new data provides a more comprehensive picture of the development of death penalty trends worldwide. The database provides researchers with new opportunities to study the death penalty from a variety of perspectives.

AbstractWhile significant research has been conducted on both the diffusion of democracy and the various democratic government systems (parliamentary, presidential and semi-presidential), the diffusion of individual democratic government systems has rarely been addressed. Therefore, this article examines whether diffusion explains why countries have established different types of government systems at the time of democratisation. Previous studies on democratic regime types have found that the establishment of democratic government systems is spatially and temporally clustered, which could indicate that democratic regime types are diffused. Inspired by diffusion studies, we test the hypothesis that the density of a particular democratic government system in a network positively affects the probability that a country in that network established the same form of democratic government system at the time of democratisation. We test this assumption through empirical analysis, using 121 cases of democratisation in which a democratic system of government was established at the time of independence or after a period of autocracy. Using logistic regression, this paper explores the connection between the choice of government system at the time of democratisation and the composition of democratic government systems in seven networks of countries: geographic neighbourhood, regional, continental, global, cultural, post-colonial and post-autocratic. The results indicate empirical support for our hypothesis; therefore, we conclude that the choice of government system at the time of democratisation is influenced by conditions in other countries.

What are the challenges to future democratization in states regarded as democratic? This study shows that some states that are traditionally regarded as democratic consist of political institutions in need of further democratization. On average, states that are classified as democratic have one or two institutional dimensions in need of further democratization. The main institutional dimensions in need of democratization are functions of government, rule of law, personal autonomy and individual rights. In order to investigate challenges to future democratization, the study presents a methodology that uses Freedom House Index and Polity Index in a new innovative way. [Reprinted by permission of Sage Publications Ltd., copyright, the International Political Science Association.]

What are the challenges to future democratization in states regarded as democratic? This study shows that some states that are traditionally regarded as democratic consist of political institutions in need of further democratization. On average, states that are classified as democratic have one or two institutional dimensions in need of further democratization. The main institutional dimensions in need of democratization are functions of government, rule of law, personal autonomy and individual rights. In order to investigate challenges to future democratization, the study presents a methodology that uses Freedom House Index and Polity Index in a new innovative way.