'The book is essential reading for anyone interested in authoritarian politics, democratization or comparative politics.' Albertus Schoeman, Democratization
1. Introduction; Part I. Initiation: 2. Autocratic seizures of power; 3. What do we know about coups?; Part II. Elite Consolidation: 4. Power concentration: the effect of elite factionalism on personalization; 5. Dictatorial survival strategies in challenging conditions: factionalized armed supporters and party creation; Part III. Ruling Society: Implementation and Information Gathering: 6. Why parties and elections in dictatorships?; 7. Double-edged swords: specialized institutions for monitoring and coercion; Part IV. Dictatorial Survival and Breakdown: 8. Why dictatorships fall; 9. Conclusion and policy implications.