The use of democratic institutions as a strategy to legitimize authoritarian rule.

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.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of North Texas

Year dc:date

2007

Author dc:creator

• Michalik, Susanne

Contributors dc:contributor

• Enterline, Andrew J.
• Greig, Michael
• Mason, T. David

• regime survival
• institutions
• legitimacy
• autocracy
• constitution
• legislature
• Authoritarianism.
• Democratization.
• Legislative bodies.

Statement dc:rights

• Public
• Copyright
• Michalik, Susanne
• Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

Language dc:language

English

Identifier

oclc: 175230258
https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc3639/
ark: ark:/67531/metadc3639

OAI identifier oai:identifier

info:ark/67531/metadc3639