Democracy, Complexity, and Science: Exploring Structural Sources of National Scientific Performance

Abstract

Scholars have long hypothesized that democratic forms of government are more compatible with scientific advancement. However, empirical analysis testing the democracy–science compatibility hypothesis remains underdeveloped. This article explores the effect of democratic governance on scientific performance using panel data on 124 countries between 2007–2017. We find evidence supporting the democracy–science hypothesis. Further, using both internal and external measures of complexity, we estimate the effects of complexity as a moderating factor between the democracy–science connection. The results show differential main effects of economic complexity, globalization, and international collaboration on scientific performance, as well as significant interaction effects that moderate the effect of democracy on scientific performance. The findings show the significance of democratic governance and complex systems in national scientific performance.

Democratic governance and global science: A longitudinal analysis of the international research collaboration network

“…More generally, the results provide empirical support for the argument that democracy and science share similar values, are productively compatible, and that democracy provides the context for the full development and flourishing of global scientific inquiry [ 46 – 50 ]. The results also add to an emerging literature that broadly seeks to empirically test the relationship between democracy and science [ 11 ]. Further, the results speak to a growing body of research on autocratization and the erosion of academic freedom around the world [ 4 , 60 , 64 ].…”

“…While these observations refer primarily to technology, it is reasonable to suggest that political governance also has significant effects on scientific innovation. In one empirical article specifically on the topic, Whetsell et al [ 11 ] recently provided evidence in support of the democracy-science hypothesis, showing significant positive effects of democratic governance on scientific performance. They suggested that democratic governance might enhance the internal and external complexity of the country, such that science is provided wider latitude for self-organization on intellectual fitness landscapes than in autocratically governed countries [ 54 , 55 ].…”

“…[ 56 , 57 ]. Whetsell et al [ 11 ] also showed a negative interaction effect between democracy and international collaboration intensity, where the effect of democracy on scientific performance diminished for higher levels of international collaboration intensity. This counter-intuitive finding incites further research into the effects of democracy on international research collaboration.…”

“…The current study builds on research concerned with the relationship between country-level governance factors and innovation in science and technology [ 10 , 11 ]. The study tests hypothesized effects of democratic governance on the probability of forming and strengthening international research ties in the global collaboration network.…”

Why Do Some Countries Innovate Better than Others? A New Perspective of Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy Regimes and National Absorptive Capacity

“…Wang et al [96] re-tested the "Popper hypothesis" using various democratic indices and confirmed that democracy enhances innovation. Whetsell et al [97] found solid empirical evidence to support the "democracy-science hypothesis", which states that democracy promotes scientific discoveries. Carayannis and Campbell [98] further argued that democracy serves as an "innovation enabler" that benefits creators, inventers, and innovators alike.…”