Autocratic ruling parties during regime transitions: Investigating the democratizing effect of strong ruling parties

This study examines the role of autocratic ruling party strength in democratic transitions. While impact on regime stability is extensively studied, we know much less about how influences prospects for democratization during Proceeding from recent studies that suggest incumbents often choose to democratize a position rather than weakness, I discuss specific attributes strong organizations wield can provide with incentives and capabilities lead context change. Using original data organizational characteristics 161 parties between 1970 2015, first set systematic empirical evidence supporting argument features promote durability simultaneously facilitate implementation substantial democratizing reforms by elites top-down fashion preempt political opposition.