Final answer:
Modernization theorists contend that the stringent condition for democracy to thrive is closely related to economic development. However, they acknowledge the complexity of establishing a direct causal link between economic prosperity and the flourishing of democratic regimes.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the modernization theory discussed by various scholars such as Seymour Martin Lipset, Adam Przeworski, Fernando Limongi, Daron Acemoglu, Barbara Geddes, and James A. Robinson, the "stringent condition that alone would allow democracy to flourish" is not singular. These scholars have provided diverse perspectives on the relationship between economic prosperity, technological advancement, freedom of the press, citizen engagement, military strength, and democracy. While Lipset and scholars like Przeworski and Limongi emphasize the importance of economic development in maintaining democratic regimes, Acemoglu and his colleagues highlight various critical historical moments as pivotal. Geddes and Robinson find a correlation between economic development and democracy, but there is difficulty in establishing a clear causal mechanism linking the two.
Therefore, answer A) Economic prosperity and technological advancement could be considered closest to the modernization theorists' viewpoint if we must choose from the provided options, as it underpins the general argument that economic growth promotes structural changes that increase political representation and the eventual establishment of democratic institutions.