{"id":{"repo_id":"unt","oai_identifier":"info:ark/67531/metadc3639"},"canonical_url":"https://search.dev.ndltd.org/etd/unt/info:ark/67531/metadc3639","repository":{"repo_id":"unt","name":"University of North Texas","base_url":"https://digital.library.unt.edu/oai/"},"display":{"title":"The use of democratic institutions as a strategy to legitimize authoritarian rule.","abstract":"Numerous authoritarian states use institutions usually associated with democratic regimes like a constitution, elections, and a legislature. This seems to be counterintuitive. Authoritarian regimes should rather shrink away from democratic institutions. Elections can be won by the opposition and legislatures can make decisions against the interests of the ruler. So, why do autocratic regimes install institutions which limit their power and threaten their survival in office? Assuming actors behave rationally, one should expect authoritarian rulers only to introduce procedures working in their favor. This study looks at the effect of institutions in authoritarian regimes. The findings suggest that legislatures significantly lower the chances of regime breakdown in the long run. However, particularly in election years, authoritarian regimes are facing a higher likelihood of failure.","abstract_html":"Numerous authoritarian states use institutions usually associated with democratic regimes like a constitution, elections, and a legislature. This seems to be counterintuitive. Authoritarian regimes should rather shrink away from democratic institutions. Elections can be won by the opposition and legislatures can make decisions against the interests of the ruler. So, why do autocratic regimes install institutions which limit their power and threaten their survival in office? Assuming actors behave rationally, one should expect authoritarian rulers only to introduce procedures working in their favor. This study looks at the effect of institutions in authoritarian regimes. The findings suggest that legislatures significantly lower the chances of regime breakdown in the long run. However, particularly in election years, authoritarian regimes are facing a higher likelihood of failure.","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Michalik, Susanne"],"institution":"University of North Texas","degree_name":null,"degree_level":null,"degree_discipline":null,"degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":["Enterline, Andrew J.","Greig, Michael","Mason, T. David"],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2007,"date_issued":"2007-05","date_published":"2007-05","updated_at":"2026-07-24T05:34:52Z","subjects":["regime survival","institutions","legitimacy","autocracy","constitution","legislature","Authoritarianism.","Democratization.","Legislative bodies."],"languages":["English"],"rights":["Public","Copyright","Michalik, Susanne","Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. 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Elections can be won by the opposition and legislatures can make decisions against the interests of the ruler. So, why do autocratic regimes install institutions which limit their power and threaten their survival in office? Assuming actors behave rationally, one should expect authoritarian rulers only to introduce procedures working in their favor. This study looks at the effect of institutions in authoritarian regimes. The findings suggest that legislatures significantly lower the chances of regime breakdown in the long run. However, particularly in election years, authoritarian regimes are facing a higher likelihood of failure."],"dc:format":["Text"],"dc:identifier":["oclc: 175230258","doi: 10.12794/metadc3639","https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc3639/","ark: ark:/67531/metadc3639"],"dc:language":["English"],"dc:publisher":["University of North Texas"],"dc:rights":["Public","Copyright","Michalik, Susanne","Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved."],"dc:subject":["regime survival","institutions","legitimacy","autocracy","constitution","legislature","Authoritarianism.","Democratization.","Legislative bodies."],"dc:title":["The use of democratic institutions as a strategy to legitimize authoritarian rule."],"dc:type":["Thesis or Dissertation"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-24T05:34:52Z"}