Class 1: democratic and authoritarian regimes

Personal Rule

A system of governance where power is concentrated in the hands of an individual leader, often without formal constraints or accountability mechanisms.

Dictatorial Monarch

A ruler who inherits their position (monarch) but governs with absolute power, disregarding constitutional or democratic principles.

Monarchical Dictator

A political leader who is not a hereditary monarch but adopts monarchical traits, such as royal titles or symbolism, to consolidate and legitimize dictatorial authority.

Presidential Monarch

A monarchical dictorship where a political leader combines the roles of head of state and government, exerting authority with a level of personal control akin to monarchical rule.

Populist Presidential Monarch

A monarchical dictorship where a president centralizes power while appealing to populist sentiments, often undermining institutional checks and balances.

Organizational Rule

Governance dominated by structured groups or institutions, such as military juntas or political parties, rather than individual rulers.

Military Rule

A form of authoritarian rule where the military controls the state directly (open-junta) or indirectly through civilian puppets (hidden).

One-Party Rule

A regime where a single political party monopolizes power, with elections being either non-existent or heavily manipulated to ensure its dominance.

Mechanisms of authoritarian exertion of power

Tools used by authoritarian regimes to maintain power, including:

• Secret Police: Surveillance and suppression of dissent.

• Criminalization of Regular Behaviors: Creating arbitrary laws to control citizens.

• Martial Law: Suspending civil rights and enforcing strict military control.

• Information Control: Monitoring and manipulating information to suppress opposition and control narratives.

Procedural Foundations of Democracy

The processes and systems that ensure fair elections, rule of law, and institutional accountability, defining democracy operationally.

(Joseph) Schumpeter

A political economist who defined democracy as a competitive struggle for people's votes, emphasizing procedural over substantive elements. Thin concept.

(Robert) Dahl

A political theorist who introduced the concept of "polyarchy," emphasizing institutions that enable participation and contestation in democracies. Thick concept.

Polyarchy

A form of governance characterized by widespread participation and political competition, as conceptualized by Robert Dahl.

Substantive Foundations of Democracy

Democratic principles emphasizing outcomes like social equality, justice, and protection of rights, beyond procedural mechanisms.

Liberal Democracy

A democracy that combines free elections with the protection of individual rights and the rule of law.

Illiberal Democracy

A system where elections occur, but fundamental rights and freedoms, along with the rule of law, are not fully upheld.

The Three Milestones of Every Democracy

(According to Robert Dahl:)

1. Incorporation (inclusion of citizens)

2. Representation (effective participation)

3. Organized opposition

Pathways to Democracy

Processes through which countries transition to democracy, through liberalization, inclusiveness or both at the same time.

Closed Hegemony

A political system where power is concentrated in the hands of a few, with little or no competition (low liberalization) or participation (low inclusiveness) from the broader populace.

Competitive Oligarchy

A political system with more political competition (high liberalization) but limited participation (low inclusiveness), often restricted to a privileged few.

Inclusive Hegemony

A political system that is open to broader participation (high inclusiveness) but maintains centralized power with minimal competition (low liberalization).

Mass Democracy

A political system where political participation is widespread (high inclusiveness), involving multiple parties and large segments of the population in decision-making processes (high liberalization).

Consensus Democracies

Democracies emphasizing broad agreement and coalition governance, often in plural societies.

Majoritarian Democracies

Democracies focused on majority rule, often characterized by single-party dominance and less emphasis on minority representation.