The Two Logics of Autocratic Rule

This book provides an innovative theoretical framework for studying and comparing autocratic rule across the globe.

Johannes Gerschewski (Author)

9781009199384, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 22 August 2024

314 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.7 cm, 0.456 kg

'An impressively comprehensive treatment that provides many perceptive insights, yields a range of new findings, and advances thought-provoking arguments. With its cogent synthesis of the theoretical literature, helpful typologies, and interesting heuristic angles, it is highly recommended.' Kurt Weyland, Perspectives on Politics

In The Two Logics of Autocratic Rule, Gerschewski argues that all autocracies must fulfil three conditions to survive: the co-optation of key elites into their inner sanctum, the repression of potential dissent, and popular legitimation. Yet, how these conditions complement each other depends on alternative logics: over-politicization and de-politicization. While the former aims at mobilizing people via inflating a friend-foe distinction, the latter renders the people passive and apathetic, relying instead on performance-driven forms of legitimation. Gerschewski supports this two-logics theory with the empirical analysis of forty-five autocratic regime episodes in East Asia since the end of World War II. In simultaneously synthesizing and extending existing research on non-democracies, this book proposes an innovative way to understand autocratic rule that goes beyond the classic distinction between totalitarian and authoritarian regimes. It will be of interest to scholars and students of comparative politics, political theory, and East Asian politics.

Part I. Introduction: Part II. Theory: 1. Explaining autocratic stability
2. Legitimation
3. Repression
4. Co-optation
5. The two logics of autocratic rule
Part III. Empirical Test: 6. East Asia as a testing field
7. Empirical explorations
8. A systematic test
Part IV. Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Comparative politics [JPB], Politics & government [JP], Social & political philosophy [HPS]