Democracies and Authoritarian Regimes

Description

The only introduction to cover the full spectrum of political systems, from democracy to dictatorship and the growing number of systems that fall between, equipping readers to think critically about democracy's future trajectory.

• Covers the full spectrum of political systems, facilitating critical reflection on current and future trends of the democratic landscape
• Addresses the current challenges facing democracy today, including the rise of populism, the gradual erosion of democracy from within, and the evolution of contemporary authoritarian regimes
• Analyses an extensive body of relevant research in a way that is accessible to students and relevant to contemporary policy debates
• A diverse range of case studies helps students to apply key concepts in the context of contemporary cases, including hybrid regimes such as Malaysia, the impact of corruption in Nigeria and the personalization of power in the Chinese Communist Party
• Regularly updated online resources highlight cutting-edge research and ensure students stay informed of key developments in the field
• Also available as an e-book with functionality, navigation features, and links that offer extra learning support

About the Author(s)

Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Director of the Transatlantic Security Program, Center for a New American Security, Natasha Lindstaedt, Professor of Government, University of Essex, and Erica Frantz, Assistant Professor, Michigan State University

Dr Andrea Kendall-Taylor is Director of the Transatlantic Security Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) and Adjunct Professor in Political Science at Georgetown University. Prior to joining CNAS, Andrea served for eight years as a senior intelligence officer. From 2015 to 2018, she was Deputy National Intelligence Officer for Russia and Eurasia at the National Intelligence Council (NIC) in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI).

Professor Natasha Lindstaedt is Professor of Government at the University of Essex where she directs the International Development Studies Program and teaches modules in international development as well as the politics of the Middle East, Asia, Latin America and Africa. She specializes in authoritarian politics, state failure, corruption and democratization.

Dr Erica Frantz is Assistant Professor in Political Science at Michigan State University. She studies authoritarian politics, with a focus on democratization, conflict, and development. She is particularly interested in the security and policy implications of autocratic rule.

Table of Contents

1:Introduction
Part One: Defining Democracy and Dictatorship
2:Defining democracy
3:Defining autocracy
4:Dysfunctional democracies and hybrid systems
5:The consequences of democracy and authoritarian regimes
Part Two: Political Dynamics of Autocracies
6:The durability of autocracy
7:Authoritarian instability and breakdown
8:Autocratic transitions
Part Three: Drivers of Democracy
9:Economics drivers of democracy
10:Cultural, social and historical drivers of democracy
11:International drivers of democracy
12:Institutional drivers of democracy
Part Four: Contemporary Challenges to Democracy
13:The rise of populism and its impact on democracy
14:Changing patterns of democratic backsliding and breakdown
15:Conclusion

Additional Resources

This text is supported by a range of online resources, to encourage deeper engagement with content.

For students:
Regular updates to supplement the text, ensuring students are fully informed of real-time developments in the field

For lecturers:
In-class assignments to reinforce key concepts and faciliate deeper, critical engagement with key topics