This article critiques the 'Emancipatory Theory' of democratization, highlighting its theoretical gaps.

Data & Methods: The analysis synthesizes findings from comparative politics studies and political transition research.

Key Findings:

• Traditional theories often overlook non-liberal democratic outcomes in their focus on institutional change.
• Emancipatory approaches may understate the constraints placed by existing power structures during transitions.
• Synthesizing diverse empirical findings reveals significant contradictions within contemporary democratization scholarship.

Why It Matters: This comparative analysis offers a more nuanced understanding of democratic processes, challenging assumptions about universal pathways toward democracy.