Political Behavior and Institutions: Autocratization
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Questions and Answers

Which of the following autocratizations involve the suspension of constitutional legality by a democratically elected leader?

  • Election-day vote fraud
  • Coups d’état
  • Promissory coups
  • Executive coups or autogolpes (correct)

    • Election-day vote fraud is characterized by the manipulation of democratic elections to favor only one party or leader.

    True

    What term describes the gradual weakening of checks on executive powers by democratically elected governments?

    Executive aggrandizement

    Promissory coups are aimed at ousting the incumbent government under the pretense of defending __________ legality.

    <p>democratic</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match each form of autocratization with its description:

    <p>Coups d’état = Overturning democratically elected government using force Strategic election manipulation = Tilting the playing field in favor of incumbents before elections Election-day vote fraud = Manipulation of elections to favor one party Promissory coups = Ousting government under the guise of defending democratic legality</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term used to refer to the worsening of democratic conditions in a country?

    <p>Autocratization</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Democratic breakdown refers to a democracy turning into an autocracy.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Name the organization that researches and promotes democracy around the world.

    <p>Freedom House</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The opposite of autocratization is __________.

    <p>democratization</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the terms related to autocratization with their definitions:

    <p>Democratic backsliding = Worsening of democratic conditions without turning into autocracy Authoritarian consolidation = An autocracy that moves further away from democracy Democratic recession = A decrease in democratic quality while still remaining democratic Democratic breakdown = The shift from democracy to autocracy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key strategy used by authoritarian rulers to undermine democracy?

    <p>Attacking opposition as disloyal and corrupt</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The concept of totalitarianism was universally viewed negatively prior to the 1930s.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the outcome of the steps followed by an aspiring autocrat after winning an election?

    <p>The political environment will be clearly flawed in favor of the incumbent despite elections being formally free.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    ___ and independent think tanks are often stigmatized by authoritarian leaders as being unpatriotic.

    <p>Universities</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following actions of authoritarian leaders with their descriptions:

    <p>Attack the media = Label media as 'fake news' Dismantle the deep state = Replace civil service with loyalists Constitutional amendment = Legalize previous executive actions Stigmatize NGOs = Portray them as serving foreign interests</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which international event influenced changes in autocratization processes after the Cold War?

    <p>The invasion of Iraq</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Changes in the international environment had no impact on the autocratization process.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does social media play in the context of autocratic regimes?

    <p>Social media can influence public perception and mobilization, potentially aiding in autocratization.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Political Behavior and Institutions

    • Autocratization is a broad term encompassing all instances of deteriorating democratic conditions, regardless of initial conditions.

    • It includes democracies becoming less democratic, democracies transitioning to autocracies, and autocracies becoming even more autocratic.

    • The opposite of autocratization is democratization.

    • Some scholars, like Bermeo, prefer the term "democratic backsliding" to autocratization.

    • "Democratic breakdown" is a narrower term, focusing solely on democracies transforming into autocracies.

    • "Democratic recession" or "democratic erosion" describes worsening democratic conditions while maintaining a democratic structure.

    • "Authoritarian consolidation" refers to autocracies strengthening their hold on power.

    • Data sources like Freedom House and V-Dem often categorize countries based on similar methodologies but may produce minor differences in classification.

    • Freedom House is a US-based non-governmental organization focused on researching democracy.

    • V-Dem is a reference source for democratic qualities.

    • Cold War-era autocratization types (coups d'état, executive coups, election-day fraud) are less frequent in the current era.

    • Third-wave autocratizations often occur in new forms, including promissory coups and executive aggrandizement.

    • Promissory coups involve a shift in government using democratic ideals as a justification.

    • Executive aggrandizement involves weakening checks on the executive branch's power.

    • Strategic election manipulation is a common tactic used to favour incumbents.

    • Democracy is generally viewed positively today, though the 1930s saw a different perspective where totalitarian states were associated with positive characteristics.

    • Post-World War II and especially after the Cold War, authoritarian leaders have developed different interpretations of democracy.

    • The rise of populist leaders is linked to the increased frequency of autocratization.

    • A textbook autocrat attacks opposition, labels the media (excluding those aligned with the government) as untrustworthy, and attacks the courts.

    • They dismantle the civil service and security apparatus. Loyalists replace independent actors (think tanks, universities, NGOs).

    • Civil society organizations are stigmatized as unpatriotic, disconnected from the people, and serving external interests.

    • The incumbent government typically secures a supermajority in subsequent elections after a series of pre-emptive steps.

    • A constitutional amendment legally solidifies these actions.

    • International political environments (especially US foreign policy), the influence of social media, political debate polarization, the financialization of the economy, income inequality, and globalization could contribute to autocratization.

    • Factors like populist party and leader success may also be contributory elements to autocratization.

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    Description

    This quiz explores the concepts of autocratization and its alternatives such as democratization and democratic backsliding. Understand how democratic conditions can deteriorate and the implications for political institutions. Test your knowledge on the definitions and distinctions between these terms.

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