Homework help with Comparative Politics
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Chapter 6: Nondemocratic Regimes
Defining Nondemocratic Rule
Origins of Nondemocratic Rule
Means of Control
Models of Nondemocratic Rule
Summary
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How does this apply to Comparative Politics?
Section 2, “The origins and sources of non-democratic rule” provides us a set of hypothesis we can test using the comparative method.
Other refined hypotheses:
– Some countries are stuck in a “resource trap”. Revenues from nationalized natural resources allow the State full autonomy and means for capacity, not requiring participation by the people.
– Developing countries get caught in the “security trap”. The most developed and capable institution within the State is the military, and the military can not allow the State to fail.
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1. Defining Nondemocratic Rule
Nondemocracy
Small group of individuals exercising power over the state
Government not constitutionally responsible to the public
Public has little or no role in selecting leaders
Individual freedom is restricted
Regime may be institutionalized and legitimate
Also called authoritarianism
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1. Defining Nondemocratic Rule
Point of interest: Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia all hold regular elections.
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Totalitarianism, defined
Variant of nondemocracy
Often a misused term
Main features
Highly centralized
Strong ideology
Use violence to remake institutions
Seeks to transform and absorb fundamental aspects of the state, society, and economy using a wide array of institutions
Rare form of government
1. Defining Nondemocratic Rule
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Totalitarianism example: North Korea
Kim Jong-un, current supreme leader
State/party control of every facet of life
Jobs and education chosen by state
State-run media
No independent civil society or opposition
Widespread repression
Estimated 200,000 political prisoners
Prison camps include men, women, and children
1. Defining Nondemocratic Rule
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1. The State (Non-Democracies)
(Changeable/volatile)
(Stable/fundamental)
Institutionalized
Regime/Government
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1. Defining Nondemocratic Rule
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2. Origins of Nondemocratic Rule
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2. Origins of Nondemocratic Rule
Why do some governments end up authoritarian?
Several explanations
Modernization
Elites
Society
International relations
Culture
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2. Origins of Nondemocratic Rule
Modernization
Can be a disruptive and uneven process
Urbanization: transforms institutions and norms
Rural areas left behind
Infrastructure and technology access expands for some; others left behind
Economies and job markets shift
Social values and gender relations shift
Militaries or dictators promise order
Examples: Chile, 1973; Singapore; Thailand and the Persian Gulf today
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2. Origins of Nondemocratic Rule
Elites
Entrenched elites unwilling to share power
May be reinforced with a resource trap
State resources without taxation
Unequal development stunts middle class
Economy fails to diversify
Resources are not portable, so control of resource requires controlling the state
Example: Mugabe’s Zimbabwe
Platinum and diamond wealth
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2. Origins of Nondemocratic Rule
Society
Lack of civil society
Or social organization absorbed by a state or party
May rely on populism
Examples: Venezuela under Hugo Chavez
Chavez mobilized (mostly) poor voters against urban upper classes
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2. Origins of Nondemocratic Rule
International relations
Foreign occupation
USSR in Eastern Europe after WWII
Imperial legacy
Poor borders and ethnic divisions (Africa, Central Asia)
Foreign backing of nondemocratic forces
United States overthrows in Iran and Chile
Russia and Syria
China and Southeast Asia
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2. Origins of Nondemocratic Rule
Culture
Some argue that democracy is a Western or Christian concept
Emphasis on individualism and secularism may not translate into other regions
Counter argument: many examples of non-Western democracy
Confucian: South Korea, Japan, Taiwan
Islamic: Tunisia, Indonesia, Turkey
Culture shapes form of democracy, not its presence or absence
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3. Means of Control
How do authoritarian leaders maintain political control?
Several ways
Coercion
Co-optation
Personality cults
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Coercion
Use of fear to discourage opposition
Can be targeted or indiscriminate violence
Sanctions include killing, torture, job loss
Requires surveillance to identify targets
Examples
China
Cultural Revolution (1966–1976) purges intellectuals and critics
Tiananmen Square (1989) army crackdown on student protestors
Iran (2009)
Basij militia threaten protestors
3. Means of Control
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3. Means of Control
Limits to coercion
Can undermine regime legitimacy
May create more widespread grievances
Costly to maintain
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Co-optation
Selectively providing benefits to key groups
Dependent on state for certain rewards
Variant 1: Corporatism
Defined
Create or sanction a limited number of organizations to represent the interests of the public
Restrict those not approved by the state
Examples
Cuba’s labor union
China and religious groups
3. Means of Control
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Co-optation
Selectively providing benefits to key groups
Dependent on state for certain rewards
Variant 2: Clientelism
Defined
State provides specific benefits or Public Support
Highly targeted: individuals or small groups
May reward with exclusive trade agreements, jobs, goods, and rent-seeking
Example: Russia’s natural resources
3. Means of Control
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Personality Cults
Veneration of leadership
Quasi-religious
Leader depiction
Embodies spirit of the nation
Endowed with wisdom and strength far beyond the average individual
Example: North Korea
The Kims (North Korea)
Ayatollahs (Iran)
Sultanate (Bruei)
3. Means of Control
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4. Models of Nondemocratic Rule
Different forms
Personal or monarchy
Military
One-party
Theocracy
Illiberal or hybrid
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Personal and Monarchical Rule
Ancient regime type
Depends on:
Charismatic and traditional legitimacy
Or patrimonialism
State and society are possessions of the ruler
Example: Zaire under Mobutu, Sultanate of Brunei
4. Models of Nondemocratic Rule
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Military Rule
Rule by one or more military officials
Alternatively, may focus on technocratic rule (bureaucratic authoritarianism)
Often brought to power through coup d’état
Sometimes follows periods of unrest
Military leaders promise stability
Coercion is a common tool
Examples: Chile (1970s), Egypt since 2011, Putin’s Russia, Thailland since 2015
4. Models of Nondemocratic Rule
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One-Party Rule
All other parties are banned or excluded from power
May be combined with
Totalitarianism
Corporatist rule
Examples: China
Newspapers, youth organizations, unions all linked to Communist Party (CP)
Party chooses who holds offices
4. Models of Nondemocratic Rule
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Theocracy
Religion as the foundation of the regime
No true cases of modern theocracies
Examples have elements of theocratic rule
The Islamic Republic of Iran
Better classified as a hybrid regime
Cleric chosen as supreme leader
Controls military, justice, media, and mosque
Shapes Guardian Council
Guardian Council requires candidates to have Islamic credentials
4. Models of Nondemocratic Rule
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Illiberal or Hybrid Regimes
Combines democracy and nondemocratic features
Rule by elected leadership
But through procedures of questionable democratic legitimacy
Common features
Weak or poorly respected rule of law
Executives hold an overwhelming degree of power
Elections are manipulated
Few rights or freedoms
Examples: Bangladesh, Iran, Russia, Thailand, Venezuela
4. Models of Nondemocratic Rule
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5. Summary
Nondemocracy refers to a broad category of states.
Explanations. The upheaval of modernization, elite resource control, societal structures, international actors, and culture may reinforce nondemocratic rule.
Means of Control. Nondemocratic regimes may rely on coercion, co-optation, and personality cults to maintain control.
Major categories. Nondemocratic rule by monarchies, military rule, one-party states, theocracies, and illiberal/hybrid regimes.
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Rubric for use in grading PSCI 3500 on-line assignments.
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Novice |
Competent |
Proficient |
Diplomat |
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Accuracy and Logic Weight 33.00% |
50.00 % One or more requirements not addressed. |
65.00 % All requirements addressed. Incorrect application of two or more concepts in the science. |
80.00 % All requirements addressed. Incorrect application of one key concept in the science. |
90.00 % All requirements addressed with minor issues with logic and accurate application of the science. |
100.00 % All requirements addressed with logic and accurate application of the science.. |
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Objective and unbiased Weight 34.00% |
50.00 %
Dominated by opinion. Polemic. |
65.00 %
Some subjectivity and bias. Unsupported declarations / conclusions. |
80.00 %
Objective and unbiased. Two of more unsupported declarations / conclusions. |
90.00 %
Objective and unbiased. One unsupported declaration / conclusion. |
100.00 % Objective and unbiased. |
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50.00 %
Multiple errors in spelling and grammar. |
65.00 %
Seven or less errors. |
80.00 %
Five of less errors. |
90.00 %
Two or less errors. |
100.00 %
Proof-read and error free. |
