Chapter 6 - Good Society, The An Introduction to Comparative Politics, 3rd Edition

The Good Society, Third Edition Alan Draper | Ansil Ramsey Chapter 6 Authoritarianism Learning Objectives 6.1 Explain the characteristics of an authoritarian regime. 6.2 Describe the two main political problems authoritarian rulers must address. 6.3 Explain how the four types of authoritarian regimes manage the problems of authoritarian power sharing and authoritarian control. Learning Objectives 6.4 Evaluate explanations of authoritarian persistence in the Middle East and North Africa. 6.5 Explain the reasoning supporting the hypothesis that regime type affects capabilities and evaluate the way in which that hypothesis is tested. Introduction Authoritarianism Is democracy appropriate for all countries? Or is authoritarian rule sometimes necessary? Rwanda after the slaughter of 800,000 Hutsis 6.1 Explain the characteristics of an authoritarian regime. Introduction Authoritarianism Is it sometimes necessary to limit civil and political rights to achieve improvements in education, health, and safety? If so, are some kinds of authoritarian rule more successful than others at improving capabilities? 6.1 Explain the characteristics of an authoritarian regime. Introduction Authoritarianism A type of political system in which a single individual or small elite rules without constitutional checks on its power. Citizens cannot hold rulers accountable, because there are no independent courts of law or guarantees to free and fair elections. 6.1 Explain the characteristics of an authoritarian regime. Introduction Authoritarianism The primary form of government through most of recorded history: czars, emperors, kings, sultans. Historically, authoritarianism was based on the “divine right of kings” where authority was derived from a hereditary bloodline. Modern authoritarianism increasingly claims to represent the will of the people, making a show of ruling with popular support. 6.1 Explain the characteristics of an authoritarian regime. Introduction Authoritarianism After the collapse of the Soviet Union, many believed it was only a matter of time until democracy triumphed over authoritarianism. 6.1 Explain the characteristics of an authoritarian regime. Introduction Authoritarianism However, in recent years, authoritarian governments have displayed impressive staying power. Authoritarianism is prevalent in parts of Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. China, the world's most populous country, remains under authoritarian rule. 6.1 Explain the characteristics of an authoritarian regime. Introduction Authoritarianism However, in recent years, authoritarian governments have displayed impressive staying power. Many countries which once appeared to be on the way to democracy have slipped back into authoritarianism. Russia, Venezuela 6.1 Explain the characteristics of an authoritarian regime. Authoritarian Politics Authoritarian politics has always been “a ruthless and treacherous business.” Problem of authoritarian power sharing: leaders are challenged to share power with others and retain support, to avoid others seizing power by violent means. Problem of authoritarian control: leaders are challenged to keep populations supportive and acquiescent. 6.2 Describe the two main political problems authoritarian rulers must address. Types of Authoritarian Regimes Four types of authoritarian regimes: Monarchical Military One-party Personal rule How does each type manage the problem of authoritarian power sharing and authoritarian control? 6.3 Explain how the four types of authoritarian regimes manage the problems of authoritarian power sharing and authoritarian control. Types of Authoritarian Regimes Monarchies The ruler is of royal descent and inherits the position of head of state. Ceremonial monarchs are symbolic only: Great Britain Ruling monarchs are leaders with power to appoint ministers and make policy decisions: Saudi Arabia 6.3 Explain how the four types of authoritarian regimes manage the problems of authoritarian power sharing and authoritarian control. Types of Authoritarian Regimes Monarchies Monarchies have been effective in handling the twin problems of power sharing and control. Allocate power and revenues to members of royal family 6.3 Explain how the four types of authoritarian regimes manage the problems of authoritarian power sharing and authoritarian control. Types of Authoritarian Regimes Monarchies Monarchs use various tactics to maintain control and stay in power. Building coalitions of supporters. Tribal leaders linked to the royal family; religious leaders encouraging their followers to support the monarchy. Providing social benefits for citizens who work in civil service and in state-owned enterprises. 6.3 Explain how the four types of authoritarian regimes manage the problems of authoritarian power sharing and authoritarian control. Types of Authoritarian Regimes Monarchies Monarchs use various tactics to maintain control and stay in power. Using repression: limited civil liberties, strong security forces. Seeking foreign support. U.S. supports Middle East monarchs to maintain flow of oil. 6.3 Explain how the four types of authoritarian regimes manage the problems of authoritarian power sharing and authoritarian control. Types of Authoritarian Regimes Military Regimes The leader of the country is chosen by military officers. Very common in the 1960s and 1970s in Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East. Number of military regimes has fallen drastically since 1980. 6.3 Explain how the four types of authoritarian regimes manage the problems of authoritarian power sharing and authoritarian control. Types of Authoritarian Regimes Military Regimes Military offices come to power by using illegal force to seize control from civilian leaders. Coup d'etat The seizure of power through the sudden overthrow of a government by military officers. Coups may have widespread public support. Egypt 2013 6.3 Explain how the four types of authoritarian regimes manage the problems of authoritarian power sharing and authoritarian control. Types of Authoritarian Regimes Military Regimes Military regimes must resolve the problem of authoritarian power sharing. Form a decision-making council or junta in which officers share power. 6.3 Explain how the four types of authoritarian regimes manage the problems of authoritarian power sharing and authoritarian control. Types of Authoritarian Regimes Military Regimes The issue of authoritarian control must also be addressed. Build a coalition of supporters who benefit from the regime. South America: plantation owners, industrialists, bankers. Sub-Saharan Africa: relatives, business cronies, own ethnic group. South Korea: industrialists, poor farmers. 6.3 Explain how the four types of authoritarian regimes manage the problems of authoritarian power sharing and authoritarian control. Types of Authoritarian Regimes Military Regimes The issue of authoritarian control must also be addressed. Military regimes may or may not use elections. Extensive use of force to repress opposition. Martial law: set curfews, ban protests and public assemblies. The U.S. has aided some military regimes. 6.3 Explain how the four types of authoritarian regimes manage the problems of authoritarian power sharing and authoritarian control. Types of Authoritarian Regimes One-Party Regimes Political authority is held by one party, which selects a leader from its senior personnel and controls access to political office and policy-making. 6.3 Explain how the four types of authoritarian regimes manage the problems of authoritarian power sharing and authoritarian control. Types of Authoritarian Regimes One-Party Regimes Two main types of one-party regimes The ruling party does not allow elections in which other political parties can compete. Communist Party-led China, Laos, Vietnam The ruling group allows multiparty elections. Cambodia, Malaysia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe 6.3 Explain how the four types of authoritarian regimes manage the problems of authoritarian power sharing and authoritarian control. Types of Authoritarian Regimes One-Party Regimes Leaders are concerned with threats from within the party's top ranks. Threats may be limited by: Giving elite party members a say on public policy. Establishing rules about how transitions are made. Without such rules, struggle for power can be ruthless and bloody: Soviet Union, China. 6.3 Explain how the four types of authoritarian regimes manage the problems of authoritarian power sharing and authoritarian control. Types of Authoritarian Regimes One-Party Regimes Leaders are concerned with threats from within the party's top ranks. Threats may be limited by: Giving high-ranking party members special privileges. 6.3 Explain how the four types of authoritarian regimes manage the problems of authoritarian power sharing and authoritarian control. Types of Authoritarian Regimes One-Party Regimes One-party regimes also seek support among society at large. Built-in base of party members and their families. Rigged elections in which multiple parties compete; by winning, the ruling party claims to have popular support. 6.3 Explain how the four types of authoritarian regimes manage the problems of authoritarian power sharing and authoritarian control. Types of Authoritarian Regimes In Depth: Zimbabwe: How to Wreck an Economy and Weaken Capabilities In 1980, Rhodesia won its independence from Great Britain following armed rebellion led by Robert Mugabe. Renamed Zimbabwe, it was one of the most economically promising countries in Africa. 6.3 Explain how the four types of authoritarian regimes manage the problems of authoritarian power sharing and authoritarian control. Types of Authoritarian Regimes In Depth: Zimbabwe: How to Wreck an Economy and Weaken Capabilities The same year, Mugabe was elected leader. He mobilized support, rigged elections, and used repression to retain power. Allies were given control of key agencies and companies as well as millions of dollars taken illegally from state-owned diamond mines. 6.3 Explain how the four types of authoritarian regimes manage the problems of authoritarian power sharing and authoritarian control. Types of Authoritarian Regimes In Depth: Zimbabwe: How to Wreck an Economy and Weaken Capabilities In the 1990s, he won the support of thousands of black veterans of the rebellion by backing their violent seizure of white-owned farms. He also approved a law requiring black majority ownership of large companies. 6.3 Explain how the four types of authoritarian regimes manage the problems of authoritarian power sharing and authoritarian control. Types of Authoritarian Regimes In Depth: Zimbabwe: How to Wreck an Economy and Weaken Capabilities In the 2008 presidential election, his opponent won enough votes to force a run-off. Mugabe used violent means of intimidation and the opponent withdrew. Mugabe's economic policies led to astronomical levels of inflation. 6.3 Explain how the four types of authoritarian regimes manage the problems of authoritarian power sharing and authoritarian control. Types of Authoritarian Regimes In Depth: Zimbabwe: How to Wreck an Economy and Weaken Capabilities United Nations' annual (2013) index of countries' performance on health, education, and standards of living Only two countries in the world had a lower index score in 2012 than in 1990. Zimbabwe was one of them. Regardless, Mugabe was reelected to another five-year term in 2013. 6.3 Explain how the four types of authoritarian regimes manage the problems of authoritarian power sharing and authoritarian control. Types of Authoritarian Regimes In Depth: Zimbabwe: How to Wreck an Economy and Weaken Capabilities Further discussion Why have Mugabe's means of solving problems of authoritarian power sharing resulted in so little improvement in capabilities? Mugabe rationalized letting war veterans seize white farmers' land, saying the best farmland had been seized from Africans during British colonialism. Is this rationale justified? 6.3 Explain how the four types of authoritarian regimes manage the problems of authoritarian power sharing and authoritarian control. Types of Authoritarian Regimes Personalist Regimes Personal rule results when rulers are able to concentrate power in their own hands and loosen restraints on what they can do. The ruler gains control over appointment of personnel and policy. Personal rulers tend to stay in power for life. 6.3 Explain how the four types of authoritarian regimes manage the problems of authoritarian power sharing and authoritarian control. Types of Authoritarian Regimes Personalist Regimes They do not have to share power with others, but must worry about individuals seeking to overthrow them. Often occurs in poor countries with weak political and economic institutions. Mobutu in Zaire, Gaddafi in Libya 6.3 Explain how the four types of authoritarian regimes manage the problems of authoritarian power sharing and authoritarian control. Types of Authoritarian Regimes Personalist Regimes Personal rulers seek loyalty through patronage, filling key military, police, or bureaucratic positions with family or tribal/religious/ethnic group members. 6.3 Explain how the four types of authoritarian regimes manage the problems of authoritarian power sharing and authoritarian control. Types of Authoritarian Regimes Personalist Regimes Have strong despotic power but weak infrastructural power. Despotic Power Power over individuals and social groups. Infrastructural Power Ability to work within societal groups to achieve desired ends rather than controlling them. 6.3 Explain how the four types of authoritarian regimes manage the problems of authoritarian power sharing and authoritarian control. Types of Authoritarian Regimes Comparative Political Analysis: Why Do Elections Lead to Democratization in Some Authoritarian Regimes but Not Others? Problem Authoritarian regimes hold elections as a means of authoritarian control. Some elections, though, have led to transitions to democracy. 6.3 Explain how the four types of authoritarian regimes manage the problems of authoritarian power sharing and authoritarian control. Types of Authoritarian Regimes Comparative Political Analysis: Why Do Elections Lead to Democratization in Some Authoritarian Regimes but Not Others? Hypothesis and Method Comparative authoritarian regimes with strong links to Western democracies are likely to democratize. Support from Western governments and human rights groups 6.3 Explain how the four types of authoritarian regimes manage the problems of authoritarian power sharing and authoritarian control. Types of Authoritarian Regimes Comparative Political Analysis: Why Do Elections Lead to Democratization in Some Authoritarian Regimes but Not Others? Hypothesis and Method Extensive trade with the West, vulnerable to trade sanctions Many citizens with close ties to the West Levitsky and Way compared regimes in 35 countries, 1990–2008. 6.3 Explain how the four types of authoritarian regimes manage the problems of authoritarian power sharing and authoritarian control. Types of Authoritarian Regimes Comparative Political Analysis: Why Do Elections Lead to Democratization in Some Authoritarian Regimes but Not Others? Operationalizing Concept In competitive authoritarian regimes, democratic institutions are used to select leaders, but authoritarian rulers make it extremely hard for opposition candidates to win elections. 6.3 Explain how the four types of authoritarian regimes manage the problems of authoritarian power sharing and authoritarian control. Types of Authoritarian Regimes Comparative Political Analysis: Why Do Elections Lead to Democratization in Some Authoritarian Regimes but Not Others? Operationalizing Concept Linkage, the independent variable, is the extent of trade, travel, phone and Web traffic, and governmental ties between the country and the West. 6.3 Explain how the four types of authoritarian regimes manage the problems of authoritarian power sharing and authoritarian control. Types of Authoritarian Regimes Comparative Political Analysis: Why Do Elections Lead to Democratization in Some Authoritarian Regimes but Not Others? Operationalizing Concept Democracy, the dependent variable, is free and fair elections; full adult suffrage; broad protection of civil liberties; and governing power in the hands of elected officials. 6.3 Explain how the four types of authoritarian regimes manage the problems of authoritarian power sharing and authoritarian control. Types of Authoritarian Regimes Comparative Political Analysis: Why Do Elections Lead to Democratization in Some Authoritarian Regimes but Not Others? Results Case studies of 35 competitive regimes strongly supports the hypothesis. 6.3 Explain how the four types of authoritarian regimes manage the problems of authoritarian power sharing and authoritarian control. Explaining Authoritarian Persistence Explaining Authoritarian Persistence in the Middle East Between 1974 and 1995, the number of democracies rose from 40 to 117, sweeping away authoritarian regimes in Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe. The Middle East and North Africa resisted this trend. 6.4 Evaluate explanations of authoritarian persistence in the Middle East and North Africa. Explaining Authoritarian Persistence Explaining Authoritarian Persistence in the Middle East Resistance seemed to be crumbling in 2011, with Arab Spring—massive popular uprisings toppling regimes in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and Yemen Uprisings fueled by unemployment, anger at corrupt officials, income inequality, and political repression. New social media helped mobilize opposition. 6.4 Evaluate explanations of authoritarian persistence in the Middle East and North Africa. Explaining Authoritarian Persistence Explaining Authoritarian Persistence in the Middle East Resistance seemed to be crumbling in 2011, with Arab Spring—massive popular uprisings toppling regimes in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and Yemen Optimism that a wave of democracy would sweep the Middle East did not prove to be true. 6.4 Evaluate explanations of authoritarian persistence in the Middle East and North Africa. Explaining Authoritarian Persistence Explaining Authoritarian Persistence in the Middle East The higher per capita income is, the more likely democracy will be. 6.4 Evaluate explanations of authoritarian persistence in the Middle East and North Africa. Explaining Authoritarian Persistence Explaining Authoritarian Persistence in the Middle East Islamic culture is fundamentally incompatible with democracy because it does not separate religion and state and legitimates authoritarian, top-down rule. However, no single interpretation of Islam in the Muslim world; citizens display a wide range of attitudes. 6.4 Evaluate explanations of authoritarian persistence in the Middle East and North Africa. Explaining Authoritarian Persistence Explaining Authoritarian Persistence in the Middle East High oil revenues help sustain authoritarian rule. Hereditary rule helped rulers without oil wealth survive Arab Spring. 6.4 Evaluate explanations of authoritarian persistence in the Middle East and North Africa. Authoritarianism and the Good Society Why do some authoritarian regimes do more to improve the capabilities of citizens than others? First hypothesis Monarchies will provide higher levels of capabilities than other types of regimes. Second hypothesis Personalist regimes will display the lowest capabilities. 6.5 Explain the reasoning supporting the hypothesis that regime type affects capabilities and evaluate the way in which that hypothesis is tested. Authoritarianism and the Good Society Physical Well-being Mixed record of success with authoritarian states and low infant mortality rates. All four authoritarian regime types have examples of high and low infant mortality. Monarchies have the lowest infant mortality rates. 6.5 Explain the reasoning supporting the hypothesis that regime type affects capabilities and evaluate the way in which that hypothesis is tested. Authoritarianism and the Good Society Physical Well-being Mixed record of success with authoritarian states and low infant mortality rates. One-party regimes have next lowest rate. Personalist regimes lag far behind, but achieved considerable reductions between 1990 and 2010. 6.5 Explain the reasoning supporting the hypothesis that regime type affects capabilities and evaluate the way in which that hypothesis is tested. Authoritarianism and the Good Society Informed Decision Making Same pattern between regime type and infant mortality rates holds for adult literacy. Monarchies were the most successful in promoting literacy, followed by one-party regimes. 6.5 Explain the reasoning supporting the hypothesis that regime type affects capabilities and evaluate the way in which that hypothesis is tested. Authoritarianism and the Good Society Informed Decision Making As with infant mortality, big differences within the same regime type. Personalist regimes had the worst record, but showed dramatic differences. 100% literacy in Soviet Union, 34% in Chad 6.5 Explain the reasoning supporting the hypothesis that regime type affects capabilities and evaluate the way in which that hypothesis is tested. Authoritarianism and the Good Society Safety Homicide rates can be a misleading indicator of citizens' safety under regimes, although still useful. Main threat to individual lives may come from state officials, not fellow citizens, with mass deaths under one-party rule and military regimes. 6.5 Explain the reasoning supporting the hypothesis that regime type affects capabilities and evaluate the way in which that hypothesis is tested. Authoritarianism and the Good Society Safety Monarchies generally have very low homicide rates. One-party authoritarian regimes tend to have either unusually low or unusually high homicide rates, as do military regimes and personalist regimes. 6.5 Explain the reasoning supporting the hypothesis that regime type affects capabilities and evaluate the way in which that hypothesis is tested. Authoritarianism and the Good Society Democracy Monarchies have the lowest democracy ratings overall. Saudi Arabia severely restricts civil and political rights. One-party regimes are highly repressive. Communist China, Vietnam, and Laos score lower than most other one-party regimes. 6.5 Explain the reasoning supporting the hypothesis that regime type affects capabilities and evaluate the way in which that hypothesis is tested. Authoritarianism and the Good Society Democracy Personalist regimes are similar to monarchies. Central African Republic, Chad most repressive. Military regimes vary in levels of authoritarianism. 6.5 Explain the reasoning supporting the hypothesis that regime type affects capabilities and evaluate the way in which that hypothesis is tested. Conclusions Why have authoritarian regimes survived? Some regimes have made big changes in policies. Democracy today is the only widely accepted way of gaining political legitimacy. No ideologies comparable to Marxism hold appeal for masses of people in different parts of the world. Conclusions Why have authoritarian regimes survived? Authoritarian rulers have become more skillful in using elections to stay in power, but this strategy does not ensure authoritarian persistence. Growing evidence that new democracies born after collapse of authoritarian regimes often fail. Critical Thinking Questions Why are rulers of authoritarian regimes more hopeful about their prospects today than they were in the 1990s? Is authoritarian rule justified if a leader can achieve improvements in citizens' capabilities, as President Paul Kagame has done in Rwanda? Critical Thinking Questions Why do citizens of personalist regimes tend to have worse capabilities than citizens of other types of authoritarian regimes? In which ways, if any, does Islam block the emergence of democracy. How would you substantiate your answer? Critical Thinking Questions Can Saudi Arabia's leaders legitimately justify their restrictions on women by appealing to Islamic teachings?