1. Authoritarianism

2. 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

3. 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?

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

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

8. 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…

9. 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

10. LIBERAL-DEMOCRATIC
REVOLUTIONARY
AUTHORITARIAN
TOTALITARIAN

12. REGIME CHANGES

24. Examples of regime change

25. In September 1973 a right-wing military coup against the democratically elected Popular Unity government destroyed democracy in Chile:

26. In April 1974, a left-wing military rebellion overthrew the totalitarian regime of Ruben Salazar and led to the creation of a democratic state:

27. 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:

28. Contemporary trends
Authoritarian evolution of democracy
Expansion of state powers
The surveillance state
The rise of nationalist-populist movements