Authoritarianism: A Very Short Introduction (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780192872692)

Authoritarianism is one of the buzzwords of our age. But what is it exactly? This Very Short Introduction provides a comprehensive overview of the world of authoritarian regimes, including military, single-party, and personalist regimes. It considers how understandings of authoritarianism have evolved over time, as well as the curious fact that many authoritarian regimes today hold elections. Drawing on examples from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East, James Loxton examines the ?life cycle? of authoritarian regimes. How are they born? What challenges do they face during life? Why do they die? The author shows how factors such as natural resource wealth and cross-border collaboration can contribute to authoritarian durability. He also highlights the disturbing fact that even when authoritarian regimes collapse, voters often use their newfound democratic rights to send former authoritarian officials back to office.

Author: James Loxton
ISBN-10: 0192872699
ISBN-13: 9780192872692
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Language: English
Published: 01/23/2025
Pages: 144
Format: Paperback