Puzzles of (Non-)Democratization: Conditions of Authoritarian Stability

In: Statsvetenskaplig tidskrift, Band 110, Heft 1, S. 66-71

Abstract

In the past thirty years, a number of nations around the world have democratized, yet in many others authoritarianism still persists. While a multi-party system is seen as a stepping-stone to the transition to democracy, observers have yet to understand why some multi-party authoritarian nations successfully undergo that transition and others do not. A possible explanation lies in the extent to which a regime in power can succeed in suppressing potential opposition. As examples of such suppression, the authors cite the regimes in Belarus, Singapore, and Tunisia. Authoritarian regime strength in these nations stands in sharp contrast to the situation in Taiwan, where opposition groups have managed to gain strength in recent years. The authors note that the key to the success of the opposition lies in its ability to develop a base of operation politically and economically independent of the regime in power. Adapted from the source document.