Title: Does everyone want democracy? : insights from Mongolia /
Authors: Sabloff, Paula L. W.
Year: 2013
Subjects: Democracy Mongolia Public opinion.; Political culture Mongolia; Mongols Attitudes.; Mongolia Politics and government
Abstract: Do all people desire democracy? For at least a century, the idea that democracy is a universal good has been an article of faith for American policy makers. Paula Sabloff challenges this conventional wisdom about who wants democracy and why. Arguing that certain universal human aspirations exist, she shows how local realities are highly particularistic and explains that culture, history, and values are critical to the study of political systems. Her fascinating study of Mongolia - feudal until it became the first country to follow Russia into communism and now struggling with post-socialist democratization - is a model for investigating how everyday people around the world actually think about and implement democracy on their own terms. -- Book cover.
Contents: Democracy means independence and freedom -- Democracy means human rights -- Democracy brings political freedom -- Democracy brings economic freedom -- A democratic government is responsible to its citizens -- Citizens' rights or civic duty: citizens' relationship to democratic governance -- Conclusion: shared experiences, shared ideas.