Student Research Projects

Economic Factors in Democratization

Student Name(s)	Ottavia Caesar
Faculty Mentor(s)	Dr. Laura Landolt
Department	Political Science
Course	POLS 499: Senior Seminar

Abstract

This study will explore how economic status affects democratization. For many years researchers have suggested that economic factors such as income inequality and absence of a middle class have negative effects on countries trying to democratize. My cases are India and Honduras, both low income countries that have established democracy. After reviewing the two countries’ political and economic histories, I will compare and contrast the ways in which economic status affects democratization.