Authoritarian Regimes: A Study

Authoritarian regime- A system of government where power is invested in a small group of people who exercise power over the state without being constitutionally responsible to the public. \-\-\-- (can\'t be held accountable by the citizens) There are different types of authoritarian regimes. Facto...

Authoritarian regime- A system of government where power is invested in a small group of people who exercise power over the state without being constitutionally responsible to the public. \-\-\-- (can\'t be held accountable by the citizens) There are different types of authoritarian regimes. Factors that indicate whether a country/ regime is more democratic or authoritarian? - The principles that a state should be governed by law and not arbitrary decisions made by individual government officials **(Rule OF Law rather than Rule BY Law**) \-\-\-\-\-- **meaning Rule of Law: laws being made in constitutionally manner, applies to everyone(citizens) and we see this in a democratic regime**. When talking about **Rule BY Law, we\'re talking about the authoritarian leaders manipulating the law to their personal advantage; more of an authoritarian regime.** -The degree of state influence on or control of the media - Authoritarian regimes are going to have more government censorship and interference in media. - While democratic regime you\'re going to see less of that(government control or interference of the media). -The degree and practice of free and fair elections - Democratic regimes are going to have elections that are freer and fairer than authoritarian elections and where that is not always the case in an authoritarian regime. -The degree of transparency of governmental decision making - Basically, openness in the gov\'t operations decisions to the public citizens, or ability of the citizens to see and know what going on in government and how decisions are being made in their gov\'t. -The nature of citizen participation in government - How much the citizens can participate through voting, and participating in interest groups, and civil society, and other ways for them to get involved. Use the factors above to compare and contrast between AP6 countries( UK, China, Mexico, Nigeria, Iran, Russia) 1.3 Daily video 2 Different types of authoritarian regimes: Illiberal Democracies or Hybrid Regimes Is a country that has elections, but those elections are often not free and fair or competitive and lack a lot of those other features of a democratic regime; ex: free media, participation of citizens Russia is a good example of an illiberal democracy/ hybrid regime One-Party States- one political party that controls the government and regime. A good example of this is China. Theocracies- where religious leaders play an important role in the government and many of the government decisions are based on the predominant religion in that country. A good example of this is Iran because Iran blends theocratic and democratic principles, but the theocratic parts of gov't tend to dominate in Iran. Totalitarian government- root word(total) government having total control not just over governmental decision making but the private lives on its citizens. Military Regimes- where a military leader or a small group of military leaders runs the country and the government. Nigeria is not currently a military regime but has been a military regime as recently as 1999. Questions to consider: When looking at democratic regimes: - The branches of national government in democratic regimes are more likely to be independent of one another than in authoritarian regimes. [Why do you think this is true] that democratic regimes are more likely to be independent branches of gov't (legislative, executive, judicial) than an authoritarian regime? Because in a democratic regime power is not centralized in one small group. (power being centralized in one place is an authoritarian regime) How do independent branches support democracy? Accountability, holding branches accountable and not holding too much power being centralized in one place. It also allows citizens to have more access points and say in gov't since they can access those different independent branches. How does this apply to our course countries? Authoritarian regime- China- little independence amongst the branches because its all part of the Chinese communist party. No independent authority. Mexico- is moving towards becoming more democratic, they are developing independence and make independent judiciary. Common misconception -- an Illiberal democracy is a democratic regime. Illiberal democracy has elections but lacks other important features of a democratic regime. Thus, making it an authoritarian regime. 1.3 Daily video 3 Describe a difference between an authoritarian regime and a democratic regime. -Authoritarian regimes have Rule by Law, rather than Rule of Law -Authoritarian regimes have more control of the media -Democratic regimes have freer, fairer, and more competitive elections -Democratic regimes have more transparency -Democratic regimes have more citizen participation in government Some countries do move from a more democratic regime to an authoritarian regime and some reasons why: -Explain how a democratic regime may become authoritarian. -Policy changes that make elections less fair or competitive -Coup or revolution -Cancellation or delay of elections -Censorship of the media -Opposition groups rights are limited -A single group dominates the government Example of a country is Russa that moved away from a democratic regime more towards authoritarian regime. Explain why authoritarian regimes sometimes hold direct elections for government officials. To gain legitimacy To provide an escape valve for discontent To see what policies the people want To improve accountability to identify or intimidate opponents of the regime In response to international pressure Common misconception- Authoritarian regimes don't hold elections