Aggies React to Arizona's Systematic Destruction of the University

No, structural factors are not always dominant in determining transition to democracy (or away from authoritarianism). Human agency and individual actors can play key roles in activism and can help create and sustain democratic movements. For an opposition activist, strategies for democratization often involve organizing around the opposition's shared values and beliefs to increase their public visibility and promote public awareness. They may also mobilize public support for their cause and use tactics such as civil disobedience, boycotts, and protests to pressure the government and demand democratic change. For a member of the ruling elite, strategies for democratization include reform measures that promote greater political openness, such as allowing more freedom of expression and increasing opportunities for public participation in government decision-making. They may also pursue economic reforms that strength the middle class, promote economic growth, and reduce poverty and inequality. Such reform measures can create more favorable conditions for democratization, as they are more likely to result in an electorate that is invested in the democratic process.