Demonstration effect

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Demonstration effects are effects on the behavior of individuals caused by observation of the actions of others and their consequences. The term is particularly used in political science and sociology to describe the fact that developments in one place will often act as a catalyst in another place.

Some of the many possible examples of demonstration effects could include:

• In the late 1700s, the successful American Revolution might have provided a demonstration effect that sparked the subsequent French Revolution. Generally, many argue that political movements are often given a boost from the observed success of similar political movements in other countries. The domino effect thesis relates to this idea; it argued that successful communist revolutions in some countries would provide an impetus for communist revolutions in other countries.
• Countries may adopt economic policies similar to those used by countries which have had economic success; the proven success of the policies provides a demonstration effect that impels other countries toward similar policies in order to emulate that success.
• Some argue that the exposure of a society to new goods or ways of living itself creates unhappiness with what had previously been an acceptable situation. For instance, some argue that in developing nations, pressure to develop rapidly exists primarily because people can see in more developed countries a standard of living that they desire.
• Parents may take care of their children in order to create a demonstration effect by which their children will later care for them. [1]

[edit] Economics

In economics, demonstration effects may help explain the spread of financial or economic crises like the Asian financial crisis. Investors do not always know everything about the economic situation of countries in which they invest. When investors see a country's economy collapse, however, they may question the safety of investments in countries with similar economic policies.

[edit] Foreign policy

Part of the rationale behind the 2003 invasion of Iraq was that the democratization of Iraq would demonstrate to other countries that Arab oil states could attain democracy, and also demonstrate benefits from such democratization. It has been theorized that such demonstration effects will speed the development of democracy throughout the Middle East.