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International Organizations and Democracy Development: The Indirect Link
Author(s) -
Kim Hayam,
Heo Uk
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
social science quarterly
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.482
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1540-6237
pISSN - 0038-4941
DOI - 10.1111/ssqu.12407
Subject(s) - openness to experience , democracy , nexus (standard) , structural equation modeling , political science , developing country , development economics , economics , economic growth , psychology , law , social psychology , computer science , embedded system , machine learning , politics
Objective Few studies have systematically examined the international organization (IO)‐democracy nexus, except Pevehouse (2002, 2005), who found the democratizing impact of regional IOs. Our study extends previous research by investigating the indirect as well as the direct effects of IOs on democracy. Methods We employ a two‐equation model, using the data for 112 developing countries for 1972–2002. Results Regional IOs increase the level of economic openness, which in turn leads to improvements in democracy. Conclusions IOs indeed facilitate democratic development in their member states both directly and indirectly by enhancing these countries’ international trade.