Publication

This paper argues that geographical attributes underlie the economic and sociocultural variables which impact on democracy, so that geography can influence factors that promote democratization. The author discusses the impact of geography and climate on social organization through income distribution and trust. He provides case studies of Italy, Malaysia, Paraguay and Malawi to illustrate the mechanisms by which agriculture provides the basis for an (in)equitable distribution of wealth. The author concludes that latitude matters more than proximity to an ocean port for democracy to emerge.