Structured Response 5

Social movements have influenced the democratization process significantly in the United States throughout its history. To me, the entire history of the United States seems based off of the movements of the people towards a more democratic state in which all of the citizens’ rights are recognized. As discussed in Professor Hardig’s post, factors that have more specifically influenced the democratization process in the USA include the extension of voting rights to all citizens. Examples of this in American history include the women’s suffrage movement. To me, that is an example of a social movement by women towards earning their right to vote. Furthermore, the Civil Rights movement is another example of a social movement in America that led to the right for people of all skin colors to vote. These social movements have clearly influenced the democratization process in America because they have caused an extension of voting rights. Because of this, more people in America are able to play a role in the American government.

            The ability of the American people to utilize social movements to influence democratization in the United States of America reflects the ability of citizens of any country to truly effect change through social movements. In countries in the MENA region, for example, I think that the determination of the people to extend fair voting rights to everyone will certainly influence democratization in these countries. Potentially, social movements within countries in the MENA region have the ability to effect the same change on the democratization process, especially if they have the majority of citizens behind their movements towards more democratic states. The stronger their social movements become, the more able the countries in the MENA region will be to effect democratic change. I truly think that the USA is a great model of the way that social movements have the ability to impact a government, and it seems to me that the history of the United States reflects the ability of citizens of countries in the MENA region to effect change as well through social movements, regardless of what kind of government they are operating under.