Founder and CEO of European Centre for Middle Eastern Studies
Introduction
Democratic transition stands as a pivotal subject in political and social studies, given its comprehensive impact on reshaping governance systems and realizing societies’ aspirations toward a more stable and prosperous future. This transition represents a complex, multidimensional process that transcends the political framework to encompass economic, social, and cultural dimensions. It requires the convergence of societal and political efforts to transform authoritarian regimes into sustainable democratic systems. At its core, democratic transition reflects a gradual evolution toward the rule of law, the enhancement of civil liberties, the expansion of political participation, and the establishment of a balance of power between governmental institutions and civil society. Thus, democratic transition is not limited to conducting elections alone but depends on building institutions capable of fostering stable and sustainable democratic practices.