POL 2104 Chapter Notes -Authoritarianism
6 Jul 2014
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Document Summary
Competitive authoritarianism: hybrid regimes after the cold war. Electoral manipulation, unfair media access, abuse of state resources, and varying degrees of harassment and violence skewed the playing field in favor of incumbents. The assumption that hybrid regimes are (or should be) moving in a democratic direction lacks empirical foundation. Hybrid regimes followed diverse trajectories during the post-cold war period. Opposition parties use democratic institutions to contest seriously for power. Not democratic because the playing field is heavily skewed in favor of incumbents. Hybrid regime type; characteristics of both authoritarianism and democracy. Elections are held regularly and opposition parties are not legally barred from contesting them; opposition activity is above ground; opposition parties can open offices, recruit candidates, and organize campaigns, and politicians are rarely exiled or imprisoned. One extra attribute: the existence of a reasonably level playing field between incumbents and opposition. A regime in which no viable channels exist for opposition to contest legally for executive power.
