POL 202 Chapter Notes - Chapter 7: Authoritarianism, Totalitarianism, Autocracy

• School: University of Miami
• Department: Political Science
• Course: POL 202
• Professor: Davidson- Schmich Louise

Document Summary

Authoritarianism--a form of government or regime that is non-democratic, favorable to hierarchy. Authoritarian regime--a non-democratic regime, includes many subtypes such as oligarchies, empires, monarchies, & sultanates. Modern authoritarian regimes vary in aspects: extent to which regime centers on an individual as opposed to a ruling elite clique, junta, or bureaucracy. Democratic breakdown--the transition from a democratic to a non-democratic regime. Authoritarian persistence--the ongoing continuation of an authoritarian regime, such that democratic transition doesn"t take place. Hybrid regimes--class of regime that appears to be neither fully authoritarian or democratic. Theocracy--an authoritarian state controlled by religious leaders, or a state with very strict religious restrictions that uses religion as its main mode of legitimation: religious leaders control authoritarian state, state very strict with religion, main legitimation, laws. Individual concentrates power: aka autocracy, despotism, dictatorship, tyranny, different from totalitarianism in that the sultan/autocrat/despot may not aim to est. overarching ideology (may promote one though, dictator is highest authority, not religion or ideology.