Revising the Human Development Sequence Theory Using an Agent-Based Approach and Data
Authored by Viktoria Spaiser, David J T Sumpter
Date Published: 2016
DOI: 10.18564/jasss.3084
Sponsors:
No sponsors listed
Platforms:
MATLAB
Model Documentation:
Other Narrative
Pseudocode
Mathematical description
Model Code URLs:
Model code not found
Abstract
Agent-based models and computer simulations are promising tools for
studying emergent macrophenomena. We apply an agent-based approach in
combination with data analysis to investigate the human development
sequence (HDS) theory developed by Ronald Inglehart and Christian
Welzel. Although the HDS theory is supported by correlational evidence, the sequence of economic growth, democracy and emancipation stated by
the theory is not entirely consistent with data. We use an agent-based
model to make quantitative predictions about several different
micro-level mechanisms. Comparison to data allows us to identify
important inconsistencies between HDS and the data, and propose revised
agent-based models that modify the theory. Our results indicate the
importance of elites and economic inequality in explaining the data
available on democratisation.
Tags
Transitions
democracy
diffusion
Inequality
Power
values
context
democratization
Sociology