Authoritarianism

Political regimes: main types Authoritarian traditional modern Democratic (or liberal-democratic) Hybrid (with both democratic and authoritarian features) Revolutionary (formed by insurgent political and social forces overthrowing an old regime) Totalitarian Left-wing Right-wing

An authoritarian regime is seen as the opposite of a democratic regime In what sense? Democracy literally means rule by the people Authoritarianism is rule by an elite which severely limits citizen rights and freedoms in order to keep power But “the people” do not really rule in a democracy: democracy is mostly representative, with some elements of direct democracy In a democracy, it is also the elite that rules What are the differences?

Key features of democratic governance Democracy rests of the principle of popular sovereignty: the citizens are the ultimate source of state power . “The people” is the official source of sovereignty, and no government can be formed without an expression of the popular will By participating in political life, citizens exercise their sovereign rights Key features of democratic governance Accountability Participation Pluralism Rule of Law Transparency

Rulers can obtain the right to rule only through “free and fair” elections They are bound by the constitution and rule of law They act transparently They are accountable They are forbidden to harm citizens’ rights and freedoms Citizens are free to engage in political activities Political opposition is free to oppose the government and to seek to replace it Political repression is limited to a minimum

Authoritarian regimes lack most of these qualities They are characterized by strong central power and limited freedoms The state dominates society The executive branch dominates the legislative and judiciary branches Political pluralism is severely constrained Citizens rights and freedoms are routinely violated The rulers bar opposition groups from coming to power Repression is used in whatever form and degree necessary to protect the regime

Democratic facades of authoritarian regimes A constitution exists Elections are held The market economy functions Citizens are not totally unfree

Article 2 of the Iranian Constitution Example: theocracy Article 2 of the Iranian Constitution The Islamic Republic is a system based on belief in: 1.The One God (as stated in the phrase "There is no god except Allah"), His exclusive sovereignty and the right to legislate, and the necessity of submission to His commands; 2.Divine revelation and its fundamental role in setting forth the laws; 3.The return to God in the Hereafter, and the constructive role of this belief in the course of man's ascent towards God; 4.The justice of God in creation and legislation; 5.Continuous leadership (imamah) and perpetual guidance, and its fundamental role in ensuring the uninterrupted process of the revolution of Islam; 6.The exalted dignity and value of man, and his freedom coupled with responsibility before God; in which equity, justice, political, economic, social, and cultural independence, and national solidarity are secured…

Totalitarian regimes Total subjugation of society to the state State control of the economy, suppression or heavy regulation of market forces Personal dictatorship, cult of the Leader Suppression of political and civil liberties The party-state Mass political terror and repression, secret police as a major political institution Mass mobilization in support of the state – key role of mind control by means of culture, media, propaganda Militarization of society, preparation for war

LIBERAL-DEMOCRATIC REVOLUTIONARY AUTHORITARIAN TOTALITARIAN

REGIME CHANGES

Examples of regime change

In September 1973 a right-wing military coup against the democratically elected Popular Unity government destroyed democracy in Chile: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36mju8Hjejk&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00kQorWVIsw&feature=fvsr

In April 1974, a left-wing military rebellion overthrew the totalitarian regime of Ruben Salazar and led to the creation of a democratic state: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhDXm9fu1P0

In August 1991, a hard-line Communist coup attempted to reverse democratic reforms in the Soviet Union. As a result of popular resistance, the coup failed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4Is6NDCC04&feature=related

Contemporary trends Authoritarian evolution of democracy Expansion of state powers The surveillance state https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyT-h4MsedI The rise of nationalist-populist movements