¶ … conditions in Somaliland fit Schmitter and Karl's (S&K) definition of a democracy? Which ones do not? Democracies are not of the same type or quality. Some democracies tend to score better on democratic scales, Freedom House for example, as compared to others. This essay looks at the case study of Somaliland in reference to procedural minimum requirements of a democracy identified in the S&K thesis. These are as follows.

a) Values vs. institutions

Schmitter and Karl's (1991) definition of democracy highlights an important fact i.e., there is no single institutional arrangement to attain such a political structure. Thus, according to the S&K thesis, it is not the existence of certain types of institutions per say but values that determine whether a country is democratic. These values roughly include accountability of elected representatives to the public, right of participation in political offices for the common man, free flow of information and the right of constructive criticism of the state and its machinery.

Somaliland is a perfect example of this distinction that the S&K thesis highlights. Its institutions are founded on traditional societal values rather than replicating western styled democracies. However, they have been able to attain the above mentioned values of a democracy. The council of elders a kind of upper house in the Somaliland government is founded on the tradition of placing important decisions in the hands of clan elders. Yet at the same time it gives voice to all clans, whether influential or not, making it a representative system by giving political say to the minorities as well. Thus, Schmitter and Karl's distinction allows countries like Somaliland to be recognized in the league of democratic states despite their unconventional institutional arrangements.

b) Frequent and fairly conducted elections with all adults having the right to vote and contest

Another minimum procedural requirement in a democracy is that there is a consistent shuffling of the government to hold the elected representatives accountable to the people. Voting in a democracy is the way that citizens judge and...

The threat of losing elections ensures that the public officials try to achieve their mandate within the time allotted to them thus performing their task relatively better than other forms of government. Studies have shown for example that democratic governments tend to serve the interests of the majority in the long run as compared to autocratic governments in order to consolidate their rule. Thus, elections are of immense importance for the functioning of a democracy.
Somaliland has been able to meet this condition as well. Its National Electoral Commission is one of the most competent government institutions in the country and has conducted three fair elections in less than five years. Apart from the regularity in elections, the screening process for nominated candidates has been formed after an open dialogue with the public and is easily understood in all circles so that the public can hold the EC accountable, if it allows candidates that do not meet the established criteria. These conditions also allow the common man to contest for elections if he meets the criteria. Thus, Somaliland has done much better as compared to other democracies in the developing world where the political reign remains in the hands of a few families, keeping common man out of the affair of the state.

However, despite the regularity and transparency of elections, Somaliland does not meet the condition of providing all adults equal opportunity to vote and contest for elections. This is partly because of the institutions that have emerged and partly because of the socio-economic condition of the region. For example, women participation is woefully low within the legislature and as voters as well. As state institutions have been formed on the basis of traditional values and through popular discourse amongst the men of the clans, little attempt has been made to mold them for achieving higher goals such as women empowerment. Traditionally women in Somaliland do not take part in economic or political life, thus the…