Chapter 8: Nondemocratic Regimes

Authoritarianism

An umbrella term used for nondemocratic governmental systems that are defined by what they deny their citizens, namely, participation, competition, and liberty.

Nondemocratic Regime

A political regime controlled by a small group with complete power over the state and no constitutional responsibility to the public. The leaders dictate policy and restrict individual freedoms. The public is not permitted to choose their own leaders. They can have ideologies, such as fascism, communism, or others, or they can be anti-ideological, where the leader claims to speak for the people. Broadly speaking, they lack substantial political ideas, with the leader representing the regime.

Totalitarianism

Nondemocratic rule characterized by a centralized state and a well defined ideology that attempts to fuse the state, society, and economy. The goal is to fundamentally transform the country to meet some sort of ideological endpoint. Often the ideology seeks complete transformation through violence.

Resource Curse

The idea that a country with great resource wealth is actually at a disadvantage democratically. Resource wealth eliminates the need to tax the public or provide representation, and resources increase inequality, stunting the middle class. Leaders are incentivized to gain and consolidate power, because the resources will only enrich those in power.

Populism

The political idea that elites and organizations don't represent the people. It follows that a new order must take over and usher the government on the right path. The ideology provides a foundation for bad actors to claim that they are the only ones who truly understand and support the public, and gain power through that rhetoric.

Coercion

The use of violence and terror to maintain power in a nondemocratic society. It is often used sweepingly and publicly.

Surveillance

The practice of monitoring the population in order to maintain power in a nondemocratic society. It creates a fear of being caught by the regime, and generally goes hand in hand with coercion.

Co-optation

The practice of bringing individuals or groups into government influence. The individuals or groups offer their support to the government in exchange for rewards. A nondemocratic regime that uses this method to generate legitimacy is generally more popular because people actually benefit.

Corporatism

The practice where a nondemocratic government approves, funds, and at least somewhat controls certain organizations that preside over specific aspects of society. Each organization has a monopoly over the specialty and the public is given a limited influence on the workings of the government, and by extension, the regime controls the public.

Clientelism

The practice where a nondemocratic state co-opts individuals' support in exchange for giving the individuals benefits. The practice doesn't require large organizations, just individual people.

Rent Seeking

The practice where politicians use the state to create income and incentives for their supporters. These benefits can include preferred access to public goods like jobs and resources from the state. This system becomes dangerous when the state begins to run out.

Kleptocracy

A political system where leaders seek only to absolutely drain the assets and resources of the state.

Personality Cults

Systems of legitimacy where the leader of the state is venerated as embodying the spirit of the nation, is seen as all-wise, all-seeing, and impossibly strong, akin to a religious figure. All forms of media and culture paint the leader as the most amazing figure they could possibly be.

Personal and Monarchical Rule

A type of rule where one strong leader draws on traditional and charismatic legitimacy for power. The state and society are subject to the leader, and ideology is weak or absent. They often rely on patrimonialism.

Patrimonialism

A type of clientelism where a small group of regime supporters gain direct benefits for enforcing a ruler's will. Only the ruler's personal supporters benefit, the rest of the public is held in check with force.

Military Rule

A type of rule where the military holds the power in the country. It is often characterized by a monopoly of violence and coercion. Usually they are forced to hold power through rational legitimacy and bureaucratic authoritarianism.

Bureaucratic Authoritarianism

The belief that ruling can be conducted through rationality, not ideology. It eliminates the need to consult the public or have multiple parties.

One-Party Rule

A type of rule where a single political party holds the power. People are included in the government through membership and participation, and members of the party are divided into cells that each control and surveill specific parts of society. THe party organizes propaganda and creates the illusion of absolute support.

Theocracy

A type of rule where the leaders claim to rule through the will of God. True forms of this are difficult to find, but aspects remain prevalent in many nondemocratic societies.

Fundamentalism

The proposed fusion of church and state where God's will is the highest law. Several nations are approaching this ideal.

Illiberal Regimes

Regimes that are classified as "partly free." They are characterized by weak rule of law and weak democratic institutions. The executive tends to hold most of the power and political opposition is repressed.