The New This Special Report has been brought to you by Senitel Communications and RexCentral Vitamins and Supplements. In democratic states, the ruling bargain is likely to be one in which the people pay for the state through their taxes and, in return, exercise power over the state.
Democracy is the defining characteristic of that ruling bargain.
The democratic ruling bargain binds the state and its people together. The state needs the funds of the people in order to function and to pay its officials, while the people seek to exercise their power through democratic means. As a result, the interests of the state and the people are aligned and relative political stability is produced. In the classic example of a rental-income state the oil monarchies of the Persian Gulf the state has no need for the people whatsoever. In such a state, the ruling bargain has the state maintaining minimal levels of social spending, while making few demands of its people.