Nondemocratic Regimes Authoritarianism

intro Nondemocratic Regimes Why have some countries failed to establish democracies?

Mini Case Study Nondemocratic Regimes Zimbabwe - 2014 President Robert Mugabe has been in power since 1980. Elections are not competitive Zimbabwe should profit off of its tremendous diamond resources. Mining rights given to those in power. Shares in diamond mining corporation are given to members of Mugabe’s secret police Profits from diamonds are used to prevent political competition Other states have pressured him to step down & even embargoed, but China does not care. How did Mugabe amass so much political control?

Nondemocratic Rule Authoritarianism

What is it? Nondemocratic Rule Authoritarianism Harder to define than democracy Represent a wider range of systems, many that don’t resemble each other Look more at what they DENY their citizens: participation, competition, liberty Maybe better to use the term “nondemocratic rule”

Define Nondemocratic Rule Nondemocratic Regimes A small group of individuals exercise power over the state Government is not constitutionally responsible to the public Public has little or no role in selecting leaders Individual freedom is restricted Nondemocratic regimes may be institutionalized and legitimate

Totalitarianism Authoritarianism

Totalitarianism Nondemocratic Rule Totalitarianism Separate from authoritarianism Connotes violence & terror Often used in a partisan way to describe a regime you don’t like Main objective is to use power to transform the institutions to meet an ideological goal

Totalitarianism Nondemocratic Rule Totalitarian Regimes Seek to control and transform all aspects of the state, society, & economy Use violence as a tool for reforming institutions Have a strong ideological goal Have been very rare

Totalitarianism Nondemocratic Rule Examples Soviet Union under Stalin Nazi Germany – but made few economic changes Fascist Italy – lacked capacity to even though that was the goal China during Cultural Revolution – but didn’t have full control of the party North Korea – only modern example

Origins of Nondemocratic Rule Authoritarianism

Nondemocratic Rule Modernization Does authoritarianism happen in modernized states? Poor & undeveloped less likely democratic No middle class – No democracy Nondemocratic rule develops in modernized countries If cities modernize & rural areas are left way behind… If a modern economy collapses, & leaders call to “restore order”… Doesn’t explain Middle East or SE Asia

Nondemocratic Rule Elites Do Political Elites prevent democratization? Elites may be less willing to share power if they fear losing resources Elites may maintain control simply to enrich themselves Resource Trap Many resource rich countries are undeveloped and undemocratic Existence of natural resources can be barrier to democratization Income allows leaders to fund govt without taxation – don’t have to trade representation for taxation Stunt the development of modern economy & middle class

Nondemocratic Rule Society Does Society prevent democratization? Does the state monitor or destroy independent action not state sanctioned? There may be no precedent for civil society The society views the state as the primary tool for social organization Populism Emphasizes hostility toward elites & established state and economic institutions – more power for public It can destabilize democratic institutions & lay foundation for antidemocratic leaders

International Relations Nondemocratic Rule International Relations Does International Relations impact democratization? Through occupation by nondemocratic regimes (E.Europe) Western imperialism is source or many modern nondemocratic regimes Democratic regimes overthrow democratically elected govts that they deem unfriendly Nondemocratic regimes that aid democratic regimes may be kept in place as long as they are helpful

Nondemocratic Rule Culture Does culture impact democratization? Some societies hold nondemocratic values Islam views political power and religious power as related Asian values stress conformity, hierarchy, and obedience Scholars argue this discredits the role of individuals

Nondemocratic Regimes & Political Control Authoritarianism

Nondemocratic Rule Coercion Coercion Co-option Personality Cult Obedience is enforced Co-option People are brought into beneficial relationships with govt Personality Cult The leader has extraordinary qualities or compelling ideas

Nondemocratic Rule Coercion Coercion Compelling individuals by threatening their lives or livelihood Compliance with regime goals is forced against the population Those who oppose the regime will be dealt with harshly Ex: death squads, purges, show trials

Nondemocratic Rule Surveillance Surveillance Maintaining a close watch over the population to prevent opposition Instills uncertainty among the population May use a “secret police” force to monitor public activity Has become more sophisticated with the Internet

Nondemocratic Rule Corporatism Corporatism Regimes sanction a limited number of orgs to represent the public They restrict those that are not set up or approved by the state There’s no competition, each org has monopoly over a segment of society “a state sanctioned organization is better than none at all” It gives public a limited influence but a pretense of influence The regime manages & funds these to eliminate civil society

Nondemocratic Rule Clientelism Clientelism Regime provides specific benefits to a person in return for public support Relies on individual patronage rather than organizations Regime targets & responds to individuals as it becomes necessary Ex: giving jobs, control of resource industries

Nondemocratic Rule Clientism Kleptocracy If resources are given out for political reasons, Resources are siphoned off to secure support of members of public Rule by theft – those in power are draining the state of assets and resources Co-option can unravel if assets or resources begin to dry up

Nondemocratic Rule Personality Cults Personality Cults Emphasis on veneration of leadership The leader embodies the spirit of the nation Leader has more wisdom and strength than average person Portrayed in a quasi-religious manner – all wise, all seeing, all knowing Attempt to generate a charismatic form of authority from top down

Nondemocratic Rule Personality Cults Personality Cults Media and culture play important role in maintaining personality cult The country’s successes are attributed to the leader Mistakes are blamed on external threats or moral flaws of people May be coupled with coercion – if people don’t believe it, no one is actually willing to say so

Nondemocratic Rule Personality Cults Personality Cults Iran – Ayatollah Khameini Venezuela – Hugo Chavez North Korea – Kim Jung Il, Kim Jung Un

Models of Nondemocratic Rule Authoritarianism

Models Personal Rule Personal Rule Usually rests on the idea that one person alone is fit to run the country With no clear regime or roles to constrain that person’s rule The states and society are subjects of the ruler. Ideology is likely weak. Relies on a form of co-optation known as patrimonialism. Relies on a traditional or charismatic legitimacy

Models Patrimonialism Patrimonialism The ruler depends on a collection of supporters within the state who gain direct benefits in return for enforcing the ruler’s will The state elite will sweat allegiance to leadership in return for personal profit Only the ruler’s own personal followers benefit, all others are held in check by force

Models Monarchical Rule Monarchies Remain powerful in the Middle East, Attempt to keep power within one family Typically try to transfer power from father to son Modern leaders may take on different titles, like president

Models Military Rule Military Rule Became more common in second half of 20th century Modernization may cause problems with legitimacy and stability There is a high level of public unrest or political violence The military intervenes, seeing itself as the only organized force able to ensure stability Military leadership also believes the current regime threatens the military’s or the country’s interest

Models Military Rule Military Rule Can have popular support People may prefer it to corruption or revolution Typically the result of a coup d’etat - The armed forces seize the state The military usually promises to restore civilian rule once stability is restored – but rarely do Typically lacks an ideology

Models Military Rule Bureaucratic Authoritarianism The state bureaucracy and military share a belief that… Technocratic leadership focused on rational, objective, and technical expertise can solve the problems of the country They are the experts, so they’re better than politicians or ideology Public participation is seen as an obstacle to the best people making the most rational decisions

Models One Party Rule One Party Rule A single political party monopolizes politics & bans other parties The party incorporates a small minority of the population Usually combined with corporatist conrol Broken down into small units to control university, workplace, & neighborhood level. No area is untouched by the party

Models One Party Rule One Party Rule Party members are given privileges usually denied to the public at large They get important positions in the government and the economy A large group of people benefit from the party – so are willing to defend it Associated with communism & fascism – and ALL totalitarianism Leadership uses the party to deliver propaganda that emphasizes the virtues of the current regime Relies on regular party members to give the appearance of widespread support & enthusiasm for leadership

Models Theocratic Rule Theocracy Few modern examples of such regimes Can be founded on any variation of any faith No true theocracies remain Iran is best example currently

Models Theocratic Rule Theocracy “rule by god” Holy texts serve as foundation for the regime and politics Religious and political leadership are fused into a single sovereign authority Iran is sets up traditional secular govt with control by religious leaders Saudi Arabia combines theocracy with monarchal rule

Models Illiberal Regimes Hybrid Regimes Growing form of non-democratic regimes currently Would be described as “partly free” The regimes do not fully institutionalize liberty They combine democratic and nondemocratic institutions & practices Institutions are there, but they’re unpredictable

Models Illiberal Regimes Hybrid Regimes Typically the executive holds an overwhelming degree of power Usually a president that limits the country’s ability to remove its president Presidents use referendums to bypass the state & grant more executive power Legislatures can’t really check Judiciaries are stacked with supporters Competing parties are repressed & govt gains monopolies over media

Mini Case Study: Zimbabwe & South Africa Authoritarianism

Case Study Zimbabwe / S. Africa Different Paths in Africa Which country has experienced greater modernization? What role has that played in their differing paths? How might the presence of a vibrant civil society in South Africa have given it an advantage toward democratization over Zimbabwe? Why might Zimbabwe’s use of coercion make its regime more vulnerable?

Wrap Up States

Main Ideas Political Violence Remember this… OR ELSE Reasons democracy doesn’t develop Types of authoritarian regimes Corporatism & clientelism totalitarianism Remember this… OR ELSE