The article explores why some countries transitioned to democracy in the Third Wave of Democratization. By analyzing data from 174 countries between 1960-2005, the researchers found that wealth and education play a crucial role in driving democratic reforms. Affluent and educated societies are more likely to become democratic, and economic development and education speed up the process of democratization. Other factors like religion, natural resources, and trade openness were also considered, but wealth and education were the most significant predictors of democratic transitions.