PSC 1001 Ch. 8: Non-Democratic Regimes

Non-Democratic Regime

Political regime controlled by a small group without constitutional responsibility to the public

Totalitarianism

Non-democratic regime that is highly centralized, possessing some form of strong ideology that seeks to transform and absorb fundamental aspects of state and society -> BREAK DOWN existing institutions

Authoritarianism

Political system in which a small group of individuals exercises power over the state w/o being responsible to the public --> must be responsible in PRACTICE, not just in theory (NO STRUCTURE)

Barriers to Democratization

1) Lack of a middle class 2) Disruptive force like modernization 3) Lack of commitment to equality by elites

Illberalism

Democracy starts to go backwards

Features of non-democracy

1) Populism focused on hostility towards elites 2) Culture wars 3) Coercion and surveillance 4) Personality cults 5) Corporatism 6) Clientelism 7) Rent-seeking 8) Kleptocracy 9) One party rule 10) Theocracy

Resource Curse

Existence of natural resources is barrier to modernization and democracy; elites don't need to tax so they don't feel responsible to the public

Methods of Control

Surveillance and coercion (e.g. secret police coerces people into not dissenting) --> not as stable

Co-Optation

Process by which individuals outside organizations are brought into beneficial relationships with them, making them dependent on the regime --> has public support, more stable; 3 methods

Corporatism

Type of co-optation wherein regimes create a limited # of organizations to represent the public and restrict those not under state control

Clientelism

Less structured, state co-opts members of public by providing specific benefits/favors to them in return for public support

Patrimonialism

Ruler depends on collection of supporters who get benefits for enforcing their will (more organized clientelism)

Rent-Seeking

Political leaders use part of state to garner income for their supporters, giving them preferred access to public goods (bad b/c you can run out of resources to give people)

Kleptocracy

When those in power seek only to drain state's assets + resources

Personality Cult

Promotion of leader not merely as a political figure, but also as a quasi-religious individual

Methods of Non-Democratic Rule

1) Personal and monarchial rule 2) Military rule 3) One-party rule 4) Theocracy 5) Illiberal Regime

Personal and Monarchial Rule

Draw on charismatic and traditional legitimacy to say that one person alone is fit to run the country, state/society is possession of leader; often relies on patrimonialism (agreement between supporters and monarch where they get benefits for enforcing ruler)

Military Rule

When society is unstable, military directly intervenes in politics because it is the only organized part of society; bureaucratic authoritarianism is idea that leadership should be focused on rationality and objectivity (removes emotions of parties and the public)

Brazil v. Nigeria

Brazil's military dictatorship was more organized and actually developed economically; Nigeria was patrimonial and didn't really develop

One Party Rule

Single party monopolizes politics and typically only includes small minority of population; divided into "cells" to keep tabs on everyone, members typically given benefits

Theocracy

Faith is sole aspect of regime's authority; fusion of God and state

Illiberal Regimes

Features many aspects of democracy BUT not really... (rule of law may be in place but is weak, meaning democratic institutions aren't institutionalized; checks and balances happen in theory, but don't) --> THEORETICALLY a democracy