Quiz 3 Prep - Democratic and Authoritarian States

Democratic Backsliding

Government elected erodes the shared interests of the people

Rhodes Perspective on Democratic Backsliding

• Globalization & capitalism → Economic inequality

• Post-9/11 security focus → Autocrats use securitization (framing an issue as a security threat)

• Technology → Disinformation & surveillance

Indicators of Democracy

• Representation

  • Balance of interests

  • Effective decision-making

• Rights

  • Freedom, equality, legal

• Rule of Law

• Participation

Criteria of Authoritarian Regimes

• Undemocratic

• Often limit civil liberties and rule of law

• Elections sometimes absent or unfair

Absolute Monarchy

Total authority vested in ruling family

Totalitarian Regimes

• Power held by a single leader or single ruling party

• Pursuit of an ideology/national objective

• Strict censorship

• Demands allegiance to head of state rather than other allegiances

• Often genocidal

Military Dictatorship

• Result of military taking control of political authority

• Power held by military

• Govern through coercion

• Limited/no freedom of speech

Civilian Dictatorships

• Concentrated power focused on leaders

• Institutions weakened

• Limited/no freedom of speech

Different Pathways to Authoritarianism

1. Revolution

   a. Power seized in a rebellious way

2. Coup

   a. Military take control temporarily

3. Election

   a. Fuelled by democratic backsliding