Conclusion

Abstract

The concluding chapter considers the implications of the book’s findings for the health and stability of democracy in the region and for future research. Democracy is not strong unless the voices of all people are heard and considered equally by those in power. Political equality obviously affects representation and accountability, and also impacts public policies that are likely to be more responsive to the needs of all citizens where the poor are politically active. The chapter reflects on the limitations of socioeconomic status (SES) and resource-based theories of political participation that emphasize individual-level factors and attitudes and advocates for more comparative analyses of political behavior that takes institutional factors seriously in explaining who participates and in which political activities.