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Bonnitcha, Jonathan --- "Democracy, development and compensation under investment treaties: The case of transition from authoritarian rule" [2015] ELECD 1569; in Schill, W. Stephan; Tams, J. Christian; Hofmann, Rainer (eds), "International Investment Law and Development" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2015) 285

Book Title: International Investment Law and Development

Editor(s): Schill, W. Stephan; Tams, J. Christian; Hofmann, Rainer

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781784711344

Section: Chapter 10

Section Title: Democracy, development and compensation under investment treaties: The case of transition from authoritarian rule

Author(s): Bonnitcha, Jonathan

Number of pages: 24

Abstract/Description:

Over the past decades both scholars and practitioners have paid greater attention to the role of governance in development. One issue that has proven particularly controversial is the relationship between the form of government within a state and its development. The rise of China has raised questions about whether non-democratic forms of government can be more successful in mobilising resources for economic growth. At the same time, countries with democratic forms of government continue to achieve better outcomes for a range of other dimensions of development. For example, famines are much less likely in democratic countries and, in general, economic resources are shared more equally in democracies than in authoritarian regimes. There is, however, a more fundamental link between democratic governance and development. In order to identify and select their own development priorities, the people of a state must be able to participate in the government of their own country. This link between the possibility of political participation and development is recognised by Common Article 1(1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights: All peoples have the right of self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development. Article 8 of the Vienna Declaration on Human Rights is more specific in linking democratic government to development: Democracy, development and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms are interdependent and mutually reinforcing.