The Strength of American Federal Democracy : Lessons for Global Development
A review of the history of the United States from its colonial origins shows how Americas successful development has always been guided by two basic principles: representative democracy, and a proper division of power between national and subnation...
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| Format: | Working Paper |
| Language: | English en_US |
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World Bank, Washington, DC
2015
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| Online Access: | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2015/12/25666730/strength-american-federal-democracy-lessons-global-development http://hdl.handle.net/10986/23476 |
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okr-10986-234762021-04-23T14:04:15Z The Strength of American Federal Democracy : Lessons for Global Development Myerson, Roger B. PROGRESS POLITICAL TRADITIONS IMMIGRANT RIGHTS ELECTIONS GOVERNOR OLD REGIME POLITICS STATE GOVERNMENT BRIBES RIGHT TO VOTE POLITICAL SETTLEMENTS AUTONOMY POLITICAL SYSTEMS POLICY RESEARCH WORKING PAPER LAWS BANK UNIVERSAL HUMAN RIGHTS GOVERNMENT GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS NATIONAL GOVERNMENT SLAVERY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS POLITICIANS SERVICES PUBLIC SERVICES POLITICAL OPPOSITION IMMIGRANTS POLITICAL DECENTRALIZATION BY ELECTIONS SOVEREIGNTY MINISTER LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES MAJORITIES POLICY DISCUSSIONS NATION PARLIAMENT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS OLIGARCHY NATIONAL LEVEL POLICY CITIZENS DIPLOMATS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEES STATE GOVERNMENTS RESOLUTION EQUAL PARTNERS COMPLAINTS WAR DEMOCRATIC DEVELOPMENT AUTOCRACY LEGAL PROTECTION PATRONAGE POLITICAL POWER DEMOCRACY NATIONAL LEADERS POPULATION CANDIDATES LAW FRANCHISE LEADERSHIP POPULAR SUPPORT POLICY RESEARCH GOVERNORS ORGANIZATIONS LEGISLATORS REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY OFFICIALS STRATEGY CONFIDENCE POLITICAL INFLUENCE REPRESENTATIVES PARLIAMENTS PUBLIC SERVICE GOVERNMENTS ELECTION ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES SERVICE LEGAL RIGHTS POLITICAL SUPPORT GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT POLITICAL SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT POLICY A review of the history of the United States from its colonial origins shows how Americas successful development has always been guided by two basic principles: representative democracy, and a proper division of power between national and subnational governments. The United States of America was established as an independent nation by a congress of delegates from 13 provincial assemblies, each of which consisted of representatives elected by their communities. Since colonial times, local democratic rights have attracted immigrants to help build new towns in the growing nation. Responsible local governments in America have had the power and the incentive to make local public investments for developing prosperous communities. Democratic competition in America has been strengthened by the ability of successful local leaders to become competitive candidates for higher offices. But in spite of Americas example, many nations since the French Revolution have instead been drawn to centralized democracy, as national elites may prefer to centralize power around themselves. Americas successful growth ultimately depended on its citizens basic understanding that their welfare and security were enhanced by a balanced federal division of power between their elected local governments and the higher sovereign government of their nation. 2015-12-22T16:25:51Z 2015-12-22T16:25:51Z 2015-12 Working Paper http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2015/12/25666730/strength-american-federal-democracy-lessons-global-development http://hdl.handle.net/10986/23476 English en_US Policy Research Working Paper;No. 7512 CC BY 3.0 IGO http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/igo/ World Bank World Bank, Washington, DC Publications & Research :: Policy Research Working Paper Publications & Research United States |
| repository_type |
Digital Repository |
| institution_category |
Foreign Institution |
| institution |
Digital Repositories |
| building |
World Bank Open Knowledge Repository |
| collection |
World Bank |
| language |
English en_US |
| topic |
PROGRESS POLITICAL TRADITIONS IMMIGRANT RIGHTS ELECTIONS GOVERNOR OLD REGIME POLITICS STATE GOVERNMENT BRIBES RIGHT TO VOTE POLITICAL SETTLEMENTS AUTONOMY POLITICAL SYSTEMS POLICY RESEARCH WORKING PAPER LAWS BANK UNIVERSAL HUMAN RIGHTS GOVERNMENT GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS NATIONAL GOVERNMENT SLAVERY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS POLITICIANS SERVICES PUBLIC SERVICES POLITICAL OPPOSITION IMMIGRANTS POLITICAL DECENTRALIZATION BY ELECTIONS SOVEREIGNTY MINISTER LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES MAJORITIES POLICY DISCUSSIONS NATION PARLIAMENT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS OLIGARCHY NATIONAL LEVEL POLICY CITIZENS DIPLOMATS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEES STATE GOVERNMENTS RESOLUTION EQUAL PARTNERS COMPLAINTS WAR DEMOCRATIC DEVELOPMENT AUTOCRACY LEGAL PROTECTION PATRONAGE POLITICAL POWER DEMOCRACY NATIONAL LEADERS POPULATION CANDIDATES LAW FRANCHISE LEADERSHIP POPULAR SUPPORT POLICY RESEARCH GOVERNORS ORGANIZATIONS LEGISLATORS REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY OFFICIALS STRATEGY CONFIDENCE POLITICAL INFLUENCE REPRESENTATIVES PARLIAMENTS PUBLIC SERVICE GOVERNMENTS ELECTION ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES SERVICE LEGAL RIGHTS POLITICAL SUPPORT GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT POLITICAL SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT POLICY |
| spellingShingle |
PROGRESS POLITICAL TRADITIONS IMMIGRANT RIGHTS ELECTIONS GOVERNOR OLD REGIME POLITICS STATE GOVERNMENT BRIBES RIGHT TO VOTE POLITICAL SETTLEMENTS AUTONOMY POLITICAL SYSTEMS POLICY RESEARCH WORKING PAPER LAWS BANK UNIVERSAL HUMAN RIGHTS GOVERNMENT GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS NATIONAL GOVERNMENT SLAVERY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS POLITICIANS SERVICES PUBLIC SERVICES POLITICAL OPPOSITION IMMIGRANTS POLITICAL DECENTRALIZATION BY ELECTIONS SOVEREIGNTY MINISTER LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES MAJORITIES POLICY DISCUSSIONS NATION PARLIAMENT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS OLIGARCHY NATIONAL LEVEL POLICY CITIZENS DIPLOMATS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEES STATE GOVERNMENTS RESOLUTION EQUAL PARTNERS COMPLAINTS WAR DEMOCRATIC DEVELOPMENT AUTOCRACY LEGAL PROTECTION PATRONAGE POLITICAL POWER DEMOCRACY NATIONAL LEADERS POPULATION CANDIDATES LAW FRANCHISE LEADERSHIP POPULAR SUPPORT POLICY RESEARCH GOVERNORS ORGANIZATIONS LEGISLATORS REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY OFFICIALS STRATEGY CONFIDENCE POLITICAL INFLUENCE REPRESENTATIVES PARLIAMENTS PUBLIC SERVICE GOVERNMENTS ELECTION ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES SERVICE LEGAL RIGHTS POLITICAL SUPPORT GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT POLITICAL SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT POLICY Myerson, Roger B. The Strength of American Federal Democracy : Lessons for Global Development |
| geographic_facet |
United States |
| relation |
Policy Research Working Paper;No. 7512 |
| description |
A review of the history of the United
States from its colonial origins shows how Americas
successful development has always been guided by two basic
principles: representative democracy, and a proper division
of power between national and subnational governments. The
United States of America was established as an independent
nation by a congress of delegates from 13 provincial
assemblies, each of which consisted of representatives
elected by their communities. Since colonial times, local
democratic rights have attracted immigrants to help build
new towns in the growing nation. Responsible local
governments in America have had the power and the incentive
to make local public investments for developing prosperous
communities. Democratic competition in America has been
strengthened by the ability of successful local leaders to
become competitive candidates for higher offices. But in
spite of Americas example, many nations since the French
Revolution have instead been drawn to centralized democracy,
as national elites may prefer to centralize power around
themselves. Americas successful growth ultimately depended
on its citizens basic understanding that their welfare and
security were enhanced by a balanced federal division of
power between their elected local governments and the higher
sovereign government of their nation. |
| format |
Working Paper |
| author |
Myerson, Roger B. |
| author_facet |
Myerson, Roger B. |
| author_sort |
Myerson, Roger B. |
| title |
The Strength of American Federal Democracy : Lessons for Global Development |
| title_short |
The Strength of American Federal Democracy : Lessons for Global Development |
| title_full |
The Strength of American Federal Democracy : Lessons for Global Development |
| title_fullStr |
The Strength of American Federal Democracy : Lessons for Global Development |
| title_full_unstemmed |
The Strength of American Federal Democracy : Lessons for Global Development |
| title_sort |
strength of american federal democracy : lessons for global development |
| publisher |
World Bank, Washington, DC |
| publishDate |
2015 |
| url |
http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2015/12/25666730/strength-american-federal-democracy-lessons-global-development http://hdl.handle.net/10986/23476 |
| _version_ |
1764453950178721792 |