Loxton, J. (2024). Authoritarianism: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press; Guriev, S., & Treisman, D. (2022). Spin dictators: The changing face of tyranny in the 21st century. Princeton University Press; Glasius, M. (2023). Authoritarian practices in a global age. Oxford University Press.

Authoritarianism is a broad umbrella term for non-democratic systems of government. This seminar focuses on the rise of authoritarianism in the 21st century. Students will learn about political institutions and practices in authoritarian regimes. We will also discuss the spread of authoritarian practices beyond borders and the use of transnational repression. The seminar is divided into three parts. In the first part, we will discuss theoretical approaches that enable us to understand the political functioning of authoritarian regimes. We will learn more about the varieties of authoritarianism and discuss the puzzle of authoritarian durability. In the second part, we will examine the life cycle of authoritarian regimes. We will analyze the conditions under which authoritarian regimes emerge and collapse. The third part of the course will focus on empirical case studies from different countries. Students can choose a case study of their own interest. We will learn how to compare different authoritarian regimes as well as the processes of democratization and autocratization in different contexts.