Introduction
Developing countries pursuing economic and political heights should strive to consolidate democratic forces. It is democratic regimes that receive significant investments, a high reputation, and a level of trust among international businesses. Therefore, as researchers state, consolidation is considered a vital transitional aspect from one state organization to another. However, developing countries now face several problems consolidating democracy, including corruption, government populism, and social inequality.
Definition
Democratic consolidation is a complex transition process in which the established democracy moves far from the past authoritarian regime, transforms society, and people finally accept a new state structure. At the end of this process, countries usually have free media, a developed political culture, and a culture of discussion and debate. Political persecution by police or special services is reduced to a minimum or stopped. Most of the society sincerely supports a single democratic directive without doubting its representatives (speakers, politicians, journalists, and other influential people).
Corruption
Corruption is an important problem in developing countries that fail to consolidate democracy. In this context, the doctrine speaks not of situational corruption of a group of persons or one person but corruption sewn into the work of state institutions (Moreno). If corruption is rampant and bribery flourishes in all institutions (education, law enforcement, environmental protection, medicine, and the judiciary), these institutions will not work to their full potential. Correct and fair work of state institutions, which would not be fettered by the will of one group of people, is the key to democratic consolidation. Suppose political processes are regulated not by the instrument of elections or by checks and balances but by the will and money of a particular person. In that case, democratic forces will not be able to express themselves.
Populism
Democratic appeals and programs are usually based on objective data, which become the foundation for forming proposals for changing the state. Democrats can appeal to feelings, but most try to establish their programs not only on the passion for one and hatred for the other but also on concrete analysis of the current situation and proposals for change. Populist politicians who take over the media and airwaves and control public opinion create an imbalance in society (Moreno). They can introduce doubts into society even in situations of an already established democracy. It is how reactionary sentiments, revenge for historical mistakes, and the rise of nationalism appear.
Social Inequality
Societies with developed inequality, as a rule, do not have experience in the development of democracy. Therefore, embarking on this path, they do not understand how to reform the structure to improve the state regime for a long time (Moreno). It is difficult for democracies to consolidate when inequality is high, but it is even more challenging to reduce when it is low. There are democratic mechanisms for smoothing imbalance, such as taxes. However, imposing tariffs when inequality is lacking is more likely to be unfair and cause people to resent.
Conclusion
Developing countries embarking on a democratic path and trying to consolidate their forces face the problems of corruption, populism, and social inequality. Such countries may not have sufficiently developed institutions to reduce democratic parties reasonably. In addition, people, as a rule, do not have a political culture, so they succumb to the persuasion of populists. In addition, in such countries, the problem of inequality is often acute, which will also cause dissatisfaction and distrust in people in the democratic government that has come.
Work Cited
Moreno, Alejandro. Political cleavages: Issues, Parties, and the Consolidation of Democracy. Routledge, 2019.