International Organizations and Democratic Backsliding: Evidence from IMF Programs and EU Membership

Author

• Farjana Akter

Date

2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Political Science

Committee Chair

Dursun Peksen

Committee Member

Matthias Kaelberer

Committee Member

Nicole Detraz

Abstract

Abstract This thesis examines how international organizations influence democratic changes. It specifically studies whether participation in programs from IMF is associated with changes in liberal democracy and whether membership in EU can constrain democratic decline. The thesis uses a mixed-method design that combines cross-national statistical analysis with comparative case studies of Hungary and Romania. The statistical results show a negative association between cumulative IMF program participation and short-term changes in liberal democracy. The case studies show that EU membership creates legal and institutional constraints on democratic erosion.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to ProQuest/Clarivate.

Notes

Embargoed until 2027-04-03

Recommended Citation

Akter, Farjana, "International Organizations and Democratic Backsliding: Evidence from IMF Programs and EU Membership" (2026). Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive. 3994.
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/etd/3994