Political Scientist and Theorist of Democracy
Adam Przeworski (b. 1940) is a renowned Polish-American political scientist, professor at New York University, and one of the leading comparative political theorists of the modern era. His scholarship has shaped our understanding of democracy, authoritarianism, and economic development, with influential works spanning over five decades.
Przeworski famously argued that while democracy can emerge in poor countries, its survival strongly correlates with a certain level of economic development—sometimes called the "Przeworski Threshold." Democracies are more likely to persist if a country is relatively wealthy, but development does not guarantee democracy will arise automatically.
In his writings, Przeworski emphasized that democracy is a system where parties compete under rules and uncertainties, and where outcomes are not guaranteed. Crucially, all sides must be willing to accept possible losses for democracy to work.
Przeworski has examined the complex interactions between market economies and democratic politics, arguing neither system perfectly supports the other. His work highlights tensions between inequality, redistribution, and stability in capitalist democracies.
A pioneer in using statistical and formal models, Przeworski advanced empirical studies of political regimes, testing long-held theories with comparative data rather than ideology or anecdote.