CPO2001 Chapter 8- Non-democratic regimes

Non-democratic regimes

when a political regime is controlled by a small group of individuals who exercise power over the state without being constitutionally responsible to the public.

Authoritarianism

a form of government characterized by strong central power, limited political freedoms, and little to no accountability to the public.

Totalitarianism

Seeks to transform total fabric of society through a ‘totalist’ ideology/approach; use of force to break people and shatter institutions.

Resource trap

Resources are being diverted for the autocratic ruler to stay in power.

Corporatism

A state that has a limited number of exclusively state-sanctioned organizations, no private organizations are allowed.

Clientelism

Members of the public exchange political support for specific favors or benefits.

Rent seeking

The practice of obtaining economic advantages and increasing profits through manipulative means, then failing to improve the economy productively.

Kleptocracy

Rule by thieves; use of political power to take away the wealth of the people in order for the leader’s personal gain.

Personality cult

promotion of a leader not merely as a political figure but as someone who embodies the spirit of the nation, possesses far more wisdom and strength than the average individual and is thus portrayed in a quasi-religious manner as all-seeing and all-knowing.

Patrimonialism

a political system where the ruler treats the state as their personal property, distributing resources based on loyalty rather than merit.

Illiberal regimes

A regimes that possesses democratic mechanisms but is otherwise weakly institutionalized; executives typically hold tremendous power but democratic processes are not well respected.

Cooptation

The process of absorbing or assimilating individuals or groups by a larger or more powerful entity to neutralize potential opposition.

If a nondemocratic ruler falls why would it be difficult for the state to adopt a democratic regime?

Because of the elites and their unequal power and share of resources.

True or false: All nondemocratic regimes are illegitimate

False: Hitler, Stalin, Mao, and Putin are all examples of this.

Military rule

Military seizes control of state

Bureaucratic authoritarianism

the idea that state bureaucracy and military support “rational” authoritarian rule as opposed to “emotional” democracy

One-party rule

Single political party monopolizes power and other parties are banned or excluded from power (think communism)

Theocracy

Faith is the foundation of the political regime; Rule by God

True or false: Iran is a “weak” example of a theocracy

True: Still has a lot of secular institutions.

Personal/Monarchial rule

Claim that one person alone is fit to rule the country; ruler is a protector or embodiment of the state but not subject to it.