Political decay

Political decayis apolitical theory,originally described in 1965 bySamuel P. Huntington,which describes how chaos and disorder can arise from social modernization increasing more rapidly than political and institutional modernization. Huntington provides different definitions for political development and describes the forms ofpoliticaldecay according to the various definitions. Huntington focuses primarily on political development as modernization and institutionalization. However, he points to the different definitions of political development as being arbitrary ways to understanding the rise ofpolitical systemsand the relationship between the political systems of different nations.

Political decay is a widespread ailment that affects every society. AsAristotleonce noted, humans are inherently political beings (zōon politikon), but it is rare to find individuals who are truly honest in their political endeavors.

Political development

Huntington identifies two characteristics of political development. The first is that development is synonymous withmodernization;thus, political development can be defined as political modernization. The second is that there are many criteria to measure political development because modernization and development are such broad topics, covering many areas. There are four generally agreed-upon criteria to determine political development. The first isrationalization,which involves the movement fromparticularismtouniversalism,or, from a political standpoint, a focus on functional differentiation and achievement criteria. The second criterion isnationalism,and national integration. This emphasizesnation-statesandnation-buildingas a key aspect of political development. The third criterion is a focus ondemocratization,which is in essence a focus on competition and equalization of power. The final criterion ismobilization,which is a focus onpolitical participation.The greater the development, the greater the modernization, the greater the mobilization, and therefore the greater the political participation. Ultimately, political development can be defined as an increase in national political unity and an increase in political participation.

Modernization

According to Huntington's definition of political development as modernization, political decay is the opposite of the linear idea ofsocial progress—although, within the model of modernization, social regression is not possible. Instead, political decay takes place because "modern and modernizing states can change by losing capabilities as well as by gaining them. In addition, a gain in any one capability usually involves costs in others."The model of modernization was used to compare the political systems of different countries with social development reflecting the linear progression of political institutions.However, research into the relationship between development of political institutions and modernization has pointed to inconsistent development. In some political systems, such as certain Latin American regions, governments have been influenced by military intervention as a result of the government's inability to cope with the strains of modernization.

Institutional

Under the framework of political development as institutional development, political decay occurs when institutions fail to change or adapt when they become unnecessary due to social or economic changes.Dan Halvorsonchallenges the idea of political decay as an institutional failure by claiming that the idea of political decay is tied to a Western ideal of political institution without taking into account widely-varying cultural institutions and the inability ofpost-colonialstates to adapt toWestern ideals.Francis Fukuyamarefers to political decay as the social and economic forces that upset the equilibrium of established political order.Institutions of theRoman Empiregovernment failed to meet the moral and economic needs of the citizens, resulting in the conditions that would facilitate political decay and thefall of the Roman state.Under the institutional model, political decay can be observed as a decrease in competence, credibility and establishment ofinstitutional corruptionover a period of time.

Instability

Different social and economic factors contribute to both the political development as well as the political decay of nations. Outside forces such as foreign governments affect the stability of established governments due to contrasting social institutions or economic interests. In order to be considered stable, government procedures and institutions must maintain autonomy and be resistant to outside agents.The social and economic forces that establishedpolitical stabilitycould change or disappear, leading to internal instability.Economic development, such as shifts from agriculture-based economy to manufacturing-based economy, as well aseconomic collapse,can also lead to political instability. Social developments, such as the proliferation of literacy, lead to the rise and spread of new ideas.

Political instability

Main article:Political stability

See also:Failed state

Political instability occurs when one faction in a state's government is in opposition with another faction or with another institution in the government. Political instability occurred during the late 18th century inFranceand other parts of Europe during the 19th century. Political development in France, such as the development of thebureaucracyand other institutions, led to a greater demand formeritocracyand greater political conflict among the ruling class.Sri Lankasaw a period of political instability following elections in 1994 caused by the ambitions of political leaders. The elected presidentChandrika Kumaratungaattempted to change the constitution and dissolve the parliament in order to remain in power, leading to sudden changes in the structure of the law-making body.

In some cases, a political breakdown can occur within the framework of a state's constitution.Indiahas provisions inits constitutionwhich grant leaders the power to breach or oppose the constitution in cases of emergency. These breaches of the state law from within the political system can lead to political decay.

Social developments

Huntington's model of political development and decay describes elements such asindustrialization,urbanization,educationandliteracyassocial developmentsthat create instability. The presence of violent conflict is not always indicative of social decay. Due to the complex character of state-building and shifts in political systems, violence is not a reliable indicator of political decay or development.The socialization of law is a process by which legislation is changed in order to adapt to economic and social changes. Socialization of law is one of the forces that opposes political decay within Huntington's structure of modernization, by ensuring that the political institutions in place are resistant to social instability.

Updated by Fukuyama

Huntington's former student,Francis Fukuyama,has developed the theory of political decay by analysing the sclerosis of democratic institutions in the United States and elsewhere. He argues that political institutions have been too slow to keep up with the country's changing circumstances due to their institutional inertia behind a status quo. For example, in the United States, the emerging financial oligarchy is entrenchingincomeandwealth inequalityand reducingsocial mobilitywhich is leading to a breakdown in society, thesocial contractand confidence in the government. The second of Fukuyama's two volumes on political order,Political Order and Political Decay(2014), echoes the title of Huntington's seminal 1965 essay. Fukuyama focuses on the concept of political decay in the framework of a history of the rise and fall ofChinese dynastiesand the causes of political and social stability during each dynasty as well as in Russian and Islamic governments.