Political Science

Illiberal democracy refers to a governing system where elections are conducted in a free and fair manner though the individual liberty is denied. This sis attributed to the lack of a proper constitutional framework. Such democracies are not favorable for policy making due to a number of reasons
Such democracies are characterized by denial of such liberties as the freedom of association and speech. Also, power is centered between the central and the local government. Critics of such democracies are forced to bow under pressure since threats are directed to them. This has been evident in countries like Peru, former Yugoslavia and Sierra Leone.
Moreover, illiberal democracies are not useful in policy making since they always interfere with the media industry and that of the non governmental institutions. For instance, in Iran, harsh restrictions have been imposed on the media houses as well as the mode of dressing. It is even worse in Ethiopia where security forces are directed towards journalists and political rivals who may pose threat to the ruling administration (Fareed, 1997).

Also, they are not useful in policy making since they are vulnerable to regime change. Though elections may be free and fair, limitation to freedom often translates to a revolt. This is because the stake holders have to ensure that they have a way of dislodging those who keep up with the bad policies. Illiberal democracies are not important in policy making since their economies are often unstable. For instance, countries like Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan they have been marred by numerous incidences of political and social upheavals.

Such democracies are characterized by lack of cohesiveness and determination. Due to this, the policy making process is always faced with uncertainties which may slow down or halt the policy making process. The illiberal economies are also not effective in stabilizing the economy of such economies. In that, they are rocked by economic mismanagement. For instance, in illiberal democracies privatization policies are often mismanaged. Economists link the mismanagement of the privatization process to corruption and the lack of accountability in illiberal economies. Moreover, illiberal economies have problems in policy making since formulation of the policies are aimed at promoting the inside political position of the players and that of their allies.

Illiberal democracies are not useful in formulation of policies. In that, they are prone to making ill advised decisions especially in war situations. This makes the peace proposition of such democracies to be vulnerable. It is important to note that, though elections may be free and fair in the illiberal economies, chances are that the elected members will be a group of racists and separatists who are out to drive their personal interests (Fareed, 1997). This impact negatively on the policy formulation process. This has been practical in countries like Pakistan and Philippines and Slovakia.

Finally, illiberal democracy pose a significant thereat to formulation of policies since it often discredits liberal democracy. This results to unprecedented setbacks which translate to a halt in democratic governance. This was evident in the politics of Europe in the yester years which were dominated by freely elected leaders who went on to spread the spirit of liberalism.

At this point, it is worth concluding that illiberal democracy is also called partial or pseudo democracy and it is not useful in formulation of policies (Fareed, 1997). This is due to the fact that it erodes individual liberty and creates ethnic divisions which can regenerate to civil or international wars.