Scholars have long hypothesized that democratic forms of government are more compatible with scientific advancement. However, empirical analysis testing the democracy–science compatibility hypothesis remains underdeveloped. This article explores the effect of democratic governance on scientific performance using panel data on 124 countries between 2007–2017. We find evidence supporting the democracy–science hypothesis. Further, using both internal and external measures of complexity, we estimate the effects of complexity as a moderating factor between the democracy–science connection. The results show differential main effects of economic complexity, globalization, and international collaboration on scientific performance, as well as significant interaction effects that moderate the effect of democracy on scientific performance. The findings show the significance of democratic governance and complex systems in national scientific performance.

中文翻译：

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民主、复杂性和科学：探索国家科学绩效的结构来源

长期以来，学者们一直假设民主形式的政府更适合科学进步。然而，检验民主与科学相容性假设的实证分析仍然不发达。本文利用 2007-2017 年间 124 个国家的面板数据探讨了民主治理对科学绩效的影响。我们找到了支持民主科学假设的证据。此外，使用复杂性的内部和外部测量，我们估计复杂性的影响是民主与科学联系之间的调节因素。结果显示了经济复杂性、全球化和国际合作对科学绩效的不同主要影响，以及调节民主对科学绩效影响的显着交互作用。