The Global Diffusion of Markets and Democracy

by Edited by Beth A. Simmons , Frank Dobbin , Geoffrey Garrett

• ISBN13: 9780521703925
• ISBN10: 0521703921
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-03-17
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

The diffusion of markets and democracy around the world was a defining feature of the late twentieth century. Many social scientists view this economic and political liberalization as the product of independent choices by national governments. This book argues that policy and political changes were influenced heavily by prior actions of external actors: not just other governments, but international organizations and communities of experts. Drawing together insights from economics, sociology, political science and international relations, the contributors focus on four mechanisms by which markets and democracy have diffused through interdependent decision-making: coercion and the impact of powerful countries and international actors; economic competition for markets and investment; learning from experiences of other countries; and emulation among countries. These mechanisms are tested empirically using sophisticated quantitative techniques in areas as diverse as capital account and investment policy, human rights and democratization, and government downsizing, privatization and taxation.

Author Biography

Beth A. Simmons is Clarence Dillon Professor of International Affairs in the Department of Government and Director of the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard University. Frank Dobbin is Professor of Sociology at Harvard University. Geoffery Garrett is Professor of the Pacific Council on International Policy and Professor of International Relations at the University of Southern California.

Table of Contents

List of appendixes	p. vii
List of figures	p. viii
List of tables	p. x
Notes on contributors	p. xii
Acknowledgements	p. xv
Introduction: the diffusion of liberalization	p. 1
Tax policy in an era of internationalization: an assessment of a conditional diffusion model of the spread of neoliberalism	p. 64
The decision to privatize: economists and the construction of ideas and policies	p. 104
The international diffusion of public sector downsizing: network emulation and theory-driven learning	p. 141
Global ideology and voter sentiment as determinants of international financial liberalization	p. 173
Competing for capital: the diffusion of bilateral investment treaties, 1960-2000	p. 220
Diffusion and the spread of democratic institutions	p. 261
World society and human rights: an event history analysis of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women	p. 303
Conclusion	p. 344
Index	p. 361
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