軍事政権、一党独裁政権、個人主義政権など、権威主義政権の世界を概観します。権威主義に対する理解の変遷や、今日においては権威主義体制の多くが選挙を実施しているという不思議な事実にも目を向けます。さらに、民主主義の崩壊、権威主義体制が直面する課題、国際環境の変化や民主的野党の決定が権威主義体制に権力の放棄をどのように促すかといった、いわば権威主義体制のライフサイクルも検証します。天然資源の富、暴力革命、国境を越えた協力関係などが権威主義の延命に関わっていること、そして権威主義体制の崩壊を経ても有権者はかつての権威主義政府の高官を再び政権に送り込むことが多いといった憂慮すべき事実にも光を当てています。(cf. Authoritarianism: What Everyone Needs to Know)
 

• Provides a comprehensive introduction to the world of authoritarian regimes, including military, single-party, and personalist regimes
• Explores dimensions of authoritarianism with examples drawn from countries as varied as Argentina, Chile, China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa
• Offers an overview of authoritarianism that is not always accessible to the broader reading public

   
Authoritarianism is one of the buzzwords of our age. But what is it exactly? This Very Short Introduction provides a comprehensive introduction to the world of authoritarian regimes, including military, single-party, and personalist regimes. It examines how understandings of authoritarianism have evolved over time, as well as the curious fact that many authoritarian regimes today hold elections. James Loxton explains the "life cycle" of authoritarian regimes: from democratic breakdown, to challenges that authoritarian regimes face, and how changes in the international environment and the decisions of the democratic opposition can encourage authoritarian regimes to give up power. The author also asks why some authoritarian regimes are more durable than others, and what kinds of legacies authoritarian regimes may leave behind after a transition to democracy.
    
This Very Short Introduction shows how factors such as natural resource wealth, origins in violent revolution, and cross-border collaboration can contribute to authoritarian durability. It ends by looking at the disturbing fact that voters in many new democracies use their newfound rights to send former authoritarian officials back to office.