4. How do autocratic political regimes stay in power? Flashcards
Number of people living in autocratic regimes
More than 1 billion
Definition of an autocracy
Rule by one, but can also mean rule by a small group of people
Who studied the totalitarian regimes ?
Juan Linz, Spanish
3 characteristics of a totalitarian regime according to Juan Linz
- Single party
- Official and genuine ideology, basis for policy
- Active mobilisation of population, support for the regime
Definition of the ideology
Set of ideas through which people see the world
Another common characteristic of totalitarian regimes ?
Political terrorism
What is political terrorism ?
The government’s arbitrary use of severe coercion against individuals and groups, or the credible threat thereof.
Why didn’t exist totalitarianism before WW2 ?
The modern technology necessary to communicate did not exist
The change of regime starts with…
The appearance of dissidents (Eastern Europe 80-90s)
The post-totalitarian phase often involves a lot of…
Corruption (people join the party out of opportunism and not personal conviction)
What is a sultanistic regime ?
A regime built around an individual and his family or close associates who plunder the resources of the country for their personal gain
Sultanistic regimes also called…
Personalistic regimes
Sultanistic are based on…
Personal rulership and not on ideology
People who surround the sultanistic ruler recruited on…
Loyalty and not talent
Examples of sultanistic regimes
Kadhafi’s Libya, Marco’s Philippines, Uganda’s Idi Amin, Iraq’s Saddam Hussein, North Korea’s Kim Jong-Un, Assad’s Syria
