Democratization, Development, and the Patrimonial State in the Age of Globalization

Postcolonial Third World states have historically faced two major challenges: the promotion of economic development and the creation of stable democracies. These challenges persist today; in the face of globalization. While some developing former colonial countries have gotten a foothold up on globalization others are not so fortunate. In Democratization, Development and the Patrimonial State in the Age of Globalization author Eric Budd investigates and compares forms of patrimonialism in several developing states. The traditional criticism of development countries, leveled by liberal democracies and their constituents, is that too much patrimonialism acts as a barrier in the face of economic development and democratization. The author considers this criticism through a comparative study of the Philippines, Peru, Taiwan, Chile, Ecuador, and Indonesia. Each case holds a specific relationship to patrimonialism. As a result these cases provide the author with a unique window into the question of patrimonialism and its effect on economic development and the development of democratic societies. Democratization, Development and the Patrimonial State in the Age of Globalization offers a significant contribution to disciplinary discussions in international relations, economics, sociology, development studies and globalization studies.

Eric Budd is Associate Professor of Political Science at Fitchburg State College. His articles and book reviews have appeared in Comparative Political Studies, Studies in Comparative International Development, The Philippine Journal of Political Science, and Kasarinlan.