Final answer:
The factor that consistently impacts the likelihood of democratic consolidation is economic development. Several studies have shown that countries with higher levels of economic development tend to have more stable and sustainable democratic systems.
Step-by-step explanation:
The independent factor that has consistently been found to impact the likelihood of democratic consolidation is economic development. Several studies have shown that countries with higher levels of economic development tend to have more stable and sustainable democratic systems. For example, research by Daron Acemoglu, Adam Przeworski, and Fernando Limongi has demonstrated that economic development is correlated with the survival and longevity of democratic regimes. However, it's important to note that economic development alone is not sufficient for democratic consolidation; other factors such as political stability, social equality, and cultural homogeneity also play a role.