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How to measure polyarchy with Freedom House: a proposal for revision

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  • Thomas Denk

Abstract

In studies on democracy and democratization, the Freedom House Index (FHI) is frequently used to measure the concept of polyarchy. This approach creates an often noticed discrepancy between the conceptual and measurement levels. The concept of polyarchy is regarded as a minimalist definition of democracy, which mainly refers to the procedural aspects of political systems, while FHI indicates a maximalist definition of democracy. This article presents a proposal to improve the conceptual validity when FHI is used to measure the concept of polyarchy. The proposal suggests that the FHI is adjusted in two aspects. First, some sub-categories within the FHI are excluded based on their lack of relevance for the concept of polyarchy. Second, the principle of aggregation is changed from simple arithmetic addition to multiplication, which corresponds to the idea that all democratic institutions, according to the concept of polyarchy, are necessary for the democratic system. These two suggestions create a revisited index that is based on the FHI. As illustrated with empirical analyses, the revisited index provides a quite different view of democratization at the global and state levels. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2013

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas Denk, 2013. "How to measure polyarchy with Freedom House: a proposal for revision," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 47(6), pages 3457-3471, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:qualqt:v:47:y:2013:i:6:p:3457-3471
    DOI: 10.1007/s11135-012-9732-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sartori, Giovanni, 1970. "Concept Misformation in Comparative Politics," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 64(4), pages 1033-1053, December.
    2. Høyland, Bjørn & Moene, Karl & Willumsen, Fredrik, 2012. "The tyranny of international index rankings," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 97(1), pages 1-14.
    3. David A Armstrong II, 2011. "Stability and change in the Freedom House political rights and civil liberties measures," Journal of Peace Research, Peace Research Institute Oslo, vol. 48(5), pages 653-662, September.
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