Politics 387PA - Politics of Authoritarianism

Authoritarianism, the most common form of government for much of history, is on the rise again today. Yet authoritarian states differ widely in their policies, institutions, and durability. How do we recognize whether a country is a dictatorship? When do dictators use repression, and why do they sometimes hold elections? When do dictatorships break down? How should all this influence our thinking about democracy? Drawing from examples around the world, we will analyze ways in which authoritarian governments exercise and maintain power, including issues relating to legislatures, clientelism, and patronage. We will also examine how authoritarianism impacts economic and foreign policy.

This course is open to juniors and seniors; Prereq: 8 credits in Politics.