 Steven Levitsky and Lucan A. Way, Linkage versus Leverage: Rethinking the International Dimension of Regime Change In analyzing the international dimension of democratization, there are two sources of international influence: leverage, or governments¡¯ vulnerability to western pressure, and linkage, or the density of economic, political, organizational, social, and communication ties between particular countries and the West. Although both leverage and linkage raise the cost of authoritarianism, linkage contributes more consistently to democratization. Extensive linkage contributes to democratization even under unfavorable domestic conditions. Where linkage and leverage are low, external democratizing pressure is minimal, and domestic forces predominate. Where linkage is low but leverage high, external pressure is intermittent and partially effective. Slovakia, Mexico, Russia, and Zambia are examined. |