Popular Dictatorships: Crises, Mass Opinion, and the Rise of Electoral Authoritarianism

ISBN-13: 9781316517802 / Angielski / Twarda / 2022 / 320 str.

Aleksandar Matovski

Opis

Shows that the most widespread and malignant dictatorships today emerge by attracting genuine popular support in societies plagued by crises.

Recenzje

'Matovski's crisis legitimation paradox offers an explanation not only for why electoral authoritarian regimes tip over into full authoritarianism but also the timing in which it may occur. This insight is particularly timely in light of the dramatic rise in domestic and international aggression by Russia, the book's primary case: Matovski's argument implies that Russia's invasion of Ukraine can be seen, at least in part, as an attempt to manufacture crisis in the midst of domestic 'strongman fatigue.' Matovski weaves a compelling story that situates the interaction of societal crises and popular appeal in the study of contemporary authoritarianism. In doing so, Popular Dictatorships makes a meaningful contribution to scholarly understanding of the rise and durability (and lack thereof) of electoral authoritarian regimes - 'the most significant threat to global peace and democracy'' Hannah S. Chapman, Political Science Quarterly

Spis treści

1. A 'perfect dictatorship?' The puzzle of electoral authoritarianism; 2. Crises, popular opinion and electoral authoritarianism; 3. Crises, popular opinion and electoral authoritarianism; 4. The 'strongman' electoral authoritarian appeal: a comparative analysis; 5. Crises, popular opinion and the re-alignment of political competition in Russia; 6. Is Russia unique? The strongman heresthetic in comparative perspective; 7. Conclusions and implications; Bibliography; Index.