Examine the similarities between semi-democratic states and rogue states in terms of their characteristics and the consequences for global peace and order (12)

Point 1: Leaders in both states are primarily motivated to stay in power and suppress political opposition to do so

Semi-Democratic State:

• Blend appearance of democracy with authoritarianism. Leaders use electoral processes as a façade to maintain control but restrict opposition to ensure they cannot lose elections and stay in power

• Suppress dissent by control of media and interference in judiciary

• Under Viktor Orbán, Hungary labelled an “illiberal democracy” as his gov dominated media, suppressed opposition through electoral reforms that disadvantage rival parties so and his Fidesz party remained in power

 

Rogue States:

• Leaders of rogue states primarily motivated by staying in power, however are more overtly autocratic than trying to hide it. Openly use repression & violence to maintain power - imprisonment & assassination of opponents

• North Korea, Kim Jong Un’s regime uses public executions and forced labour camps to secure his grip on power. Human rights organisations estimate over 120,000 political prisoners are held in North Korea - torture, starvation & forced labour

Point 2: Undermine international institutions and their ability to uphold liberal values (democracy, rule of law, human rights)

Rogue States:

• Strongly reject and disregard norms and legitimacy of liberal international law. Challenge liberal principles promoted by US-led internation order including democracy, human rights and free-market capitalism

• Iran disregarded international law including the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) - sought to limit its development of nuclear capabilities. Also funded proxies such as Hezbollah and the Houthis with intention of challenging US and its allies - major regional instability

 

Semi-Democratic States:

• Also undermine liberal international institutions but from within. Still claim to be democracies so able to receive benefits of membership institutions like NATO & UN and build alliances with autocraticies

• Erode values of these institutions which struggle to deal with semi-democratic states due to their ambiguous status

• Turkey = member of NATO, benefitting from the alliances’ security guarantees, yet it has been criticised for democratic backsliding under President Erdoğan and for building alliances with autocratic states

• Despite this, NATO has been reluctant to act decisively due to Turkey’s strategic importance, creating tensions within the alliance of liberal democracies

Point 3: Have posed significant challenges to the US’ global hegemony due to their willingness to cooperate and form alliances to challenge the US

Semi-Democratic States:

• Align with both democratic & autocratic powers - instability & undermines influence of EU & US

• Hungary, an EU member, has developed close ties with China, joining Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and allowing Huawei to build its 5G network infrastructure. Aligns Hungary with autocracies

• Aligns Hungary with autocracies, complicating EU efforts to present a unified stance against China’s influence and align itself with US

Rogue States:

• More aggressive in challenging US hegemony, openly opposing its dominance and creating alliances among themselves to do so. In particular, China, Russia, North Korea, Iran have grown closer economically and militarily in recent years

• Russia using Iranian-built drones and North Korean troops in Ukraine

• Russia & Iran now export a significant majority of energy reserves to China, supporting its continued econo growth & competition with US

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