Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is a significant risk for dictators who share military power?
What is a significant risk for dictators who share military power?
Civilian regimes are less vulnerable to the guardianship dilemma compared to coup regimes.
Civilian regimes are less vulnerable to the guardianship dilemma compared to coup regimes.
False
What do rebel regimes typically do when they obtain power?
What do rebel regimes typically do when they obtain power?
Delegate power to military leaders
Rebel regimes usually last longer than _____ regimes due to their embedded military structure.
Rebel regimes usually last longer than _____ regimes due to their embedded military structure.
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Match the regime type with its characteristic:
Match the regime type with its characteristic:
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Why do dictators create power-sharing institutions?
Why do dictators create power-sharing institutions?
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Rebel leaders often replace their ministers of defense frequently to ensure loyalty.
Rebel leaders often replace their ministers of defense frequently to ensure loyalty.
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What is the typical duration of rebel conflicts?
What is the typical duration of rebel conflicts?
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Dictators who control all resources are less likely to establish _____ because they don't feel the need for institutional checks.
Dictators who control all resources are less likely to establish _____ because they don't feel the need for institutional checks.
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What effect do legislatures have on the likelihood of coups?
What effect do legislatures have on the likelihood of coups?
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What is the main motivation behind dictators' actions compared to democratic leaders?
What is the main motivation behind dictators' actions compared to democratic leaders?
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All members of the selectorate are automatically part of the winning coalition.
All members of the selectorate are automatically part of the winning coalition.
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What is the primary role of oligarchs in an autocratic regime?
What is the primary role of oligarchs in an autocratic regime?
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In authoritarian regimes, public goods are often used as a tool for ______ to maintain power.
In authoritarian regimes, public goods are often used as a tool for ______ to maintain power.
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Match the terms related to autocratic regimes with their definitions:
Match the terms related to autocratic regimes with their definitions:
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Which of the following best describes the 'Guardianship Dilemma'?
Which of the following best describes the 'Guardianship Dilemma'?
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In autocracies, the size of the winning coalition (W) has no impact on regime stability.
In autocracies, the size of the winning coalition (W) has no impact on regime stability.
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What is the crucial part of Selectorate Theory regarding political survival?
What is the crucial part of Selectorate Theory regarding political survival?
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The CCP in China removes tweets based on their ability to create group aggregation, regardless of their _____ toward the government.
The CCP in China removes tweets based on their ability to create group aggregation, regardless of their _____ toward the government.
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As the size of the winning coalition increases, which of the following tends to happen?
As the size of the winning coalition increases, which of the following tends to happen?
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Study Notes
Autocracies: Understanding Power and Stability
- Autocratic regimes face unique challenges in maintaining power, unlike democracies
- Data collection is difficult and accuracy is contentious
- Authoritarian leaders, like democratic ones, pursue goals, but have less constraint on means
- Key challenges for autocrats include securing compliance from allies (oligarchs) and the broader population
Oligarchs and Compliance
- Oligarchs are crucial for autocratic regimes, driving economic growth and funding initiatives
- Autocrats maintain control by preventing any single oligarchic group from becoming too powerful
- State policies (e.g., publicized arrests, legal actions) keep oligarchs in check
- Autocrats need to understand their population's preferences, transmit their information, and control behavior
- Balance is required between understanding and not empowering the population
Selectorate Theory
- Political survival in autocracies often relies on a small, key group of supporters (winning coalition)
- Co-opting a few is easier and cheaper compared to a large number of individuals
- Dictators exert influence because they can replace subordinates easily
- Understanding outside options (alternatives to support) is critical for understanding power dynamics
- A leader's behavior is heavily influenced by the make-up of the selectorate & winning coalition.
Regime Stability and Incentive Alignment
- Dictators increase taxes when the winning coalition is small, depressing economic activity but compensating through private rents.
- With a larger winning coalition, rewards shift towards public goods and lower taxes
- Loyalty is influenced by the difference in privileges (private rents) between those in and out of the winning coalition
- A larger winning coalition leads to more public goods but less private rents, affecting overall welfare in a non-linear relationship
- Regime stability depends on successful management of the "guardianship dilemma" (balancing military power and control)
The Guardianship Dilemma
- Autocratic regimes need a strong military to maintain power
- Military cooperation is crucial; however, dictators must delegate some military power.
- Delegation creates the risk that military leaders might challenge or overthrow the autocrat
- Dictator types (Civilian, Coup, Rebel) face different challenges in maintaining power and military allegiance
Rebel Regimes
- Rebel regimes often endure years of struggle to achieve power.
- They are typically more sturdy because of their longer power struggles.
- Delegation of power (appointing a minister of defense) during conflicts improves military performance & strengthens alliances
- Power-sharing, as shown in power delegation to subordinates, is a crucial element of durable rebel regimes.
Limited Authoritarian Government
- Power-sharing institutions (like legislatures) in autocracies can affect stability.
- Institutions are effective only when they alleviate the commitment problem between the leader and allies.
- The threat of rebellion by allies must be credible to motivate them to avoid harming the leader.
- Institutions' effectiveness in autocracies can create more predictable transitions.
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Description
This quiz explores the intricacies of autocratic regimes and their quest for stability and control. From the role of oligarchs to the challenges of compliance, it provides insights into how authoritarian leaders navigate their political landscape. Dive deeper into selectorate theory and the strategies employed by autocrats to maintain power.
