Midterm Flashcards
What is a roving bandit?
An unstable ruler who loots and leaves, causing economic ruin and discouraging investment
What is a stationary bandit?
A ruler who taxes instead of looting and ensures stability to sustain long-term revenue
What is the minimalist definition of a dictatorship?
A regime in which rulers acquire power by means other than competitive elections
(Gandhi, 2008)
What are the two distinctive features of dictatorships?
1) No independent authority
2) Violence as the ultimate arbiter
What are the three main types of dictatorships?
1) Monarchic
2) Military
3) Civilian (Personalist and Single/Dominant-Party Regimes)
Which of the following is NOT a type of dictatorship?
A) Monarchic
B) Military
C) Democratic
D) Civilian
C
What are the six main ways dictatorships begin?
1) Coups
2) Insurgencies
3) Popular uprisings
4) Foreign conquest/imposition
5) Autocratic elite rule changes
6) Authoritarianization
What is a coup?
A sudden and illegal power grab, usually by military officers, to overthrow the executive and take control.
How do insurgent regimes consolidate power?
4 points
using strong networks
imposing radical policies
replacing security forces
relying on coercion over persuasion
What is the ‘divide and rule’ strategy?
A tactic where dictators fragment elites to maintain control with minimal resistance
Which of the following is a coup-proofing strategy?
A) Allowing military officers to gain political influence
B) Military purges
C) Disbanding the military
D) Eliminating all opposition parties
B
Military purges help dictators remove disloyal officers who might attempt a coup. Other common coup-proofing strategies include creating rival security forces, rotating military leadership, and increasing military resources while ensuring loyalty.
Why do dictatorships create ruling parties?
3 points
to consolidate power
to manage factionalism
to reduce military threats
What are the main functions of political parties in dictatorships?
4 points
1) Information gathering
2) Mobilization
3) Distribution of benefits
4) Elite co-optation.
Why do dictatorships hold elections?
5 points
to signal strength
to deter elite defection
to monitor opposition
to co-opt elites
to maintain internal party competition
Elections in dictatorships primarily serve to…
A) Strengthen democracy
B) Showcase regime control and co-opt elites
C) Allow genuine political competition
D) Encourage opposition groups to gain power
B
Dictatorships often use elections as a tool to reinforce their legitimacy, monitor potential opposition, and distribute patronage, rather than to foster real democratic competition.
What are the four main methods of ending dictatorships?
1) Coups
2) Popular uprisings
3) Insurgencies
4) Elections
What is the free-rider problem in collective action?
Since public goods are non-excludable and non-rivalrous, individuals may avoid participating, assuming others will do the work.
What is the tipping model in revolutions?
It describes how small changes in revolutionary thresholds can create a cascade effect, leading to mass uprisings.
What is preference falsification?
The phenomenon where individuals hide their true opposition to a regime out of fear of repression.
Which of the following best describes the tipping point in a revolution?
A) When enough individuals with low revolutionary thresholds take action
B) When the dictator willingly steps down
C) When external forces intervene
D) When economic conditions are at their best
A
The tipping point in a revolution occurs when a critical mass of people who were previously unwilling to act decide to participate, triggering a cascade effect. This often happens when repression, economic downturns, or policy changes lower individuals’ revolutionary thresholds, making them more willing to oppose the regime.
What is a personalist dictatorship?
regime where power is concentrated in one leader, who dominates policy and suppresses opposition
What is a dominant-party regime?
dictatorship where a single ruling party controls the state and political system
(i.e. the PAP in Singapore)
What is a military dictatorship?
regime where the military directly controls the government
(i.e. Myanmar)
What is authoritarianization?
A process where democratically elected leaders weaken opposition and erode democratic institutions, turning a democracy into an autocracy while staying in power.
What is the role of repression (i.e. violence/surveillance/censorship) in dictatorships?
(2 points)
silence opposition
maintain control
Which of the following is an example of a military dictatorship?
A) Singapore under the PAP
B) North Korea under Kim Jong-un
C) Myanmar’s military government
D) Saudi Arabia’s monarchy
C
Myanmar has been ruled by a military junta at various points in its history, where the military directly controls the government. The other options represent different types of authoritarian regimes:
- Singapore under the PAP → Dominant-party regime
- North Korea under Kim Jong-un → Personalist dictatorship
- Saudi Arabia’s monarchy → Monarchic dictatorship
What is elite co-optation?
A strategy where dictators offer benefits, positions, and privileges to elites in exchange for loyalty
What factors influence whether a dictator can stay in power?
5 points
1) Strength of ruling party
2) Loyalty of security forces
3) Economic performance
4) International support or sanctions
5) Repression and propaganda
Which of the following is NOT a key feature of a dictatorship?
A) No independent authority
B) Competitive elections
C) Violence as an ultimate arbiter
D) Concentration of power
B
Dictatorships lack genuinely competitive elections, as power is concentrated, opposition is suppressed, and the regime maintains control through coercion or manipulation. The other options—lack of independent authority, reliance on violence, and centralized power—are defining features of authoritarian rule.
Which strategy is often used by dictators to prevent military coups?
A) Strengthening opposition parties
B) Frequently rotating military leadership
C) Reducing military spending
D) Allowing free elections
B
By frequently rotating military leadership, dictators prevent any one officer from building a strong power base that could challenge their rule. This is a common coup-proofing strategy, along with military purges, creating rival security forces, and ensuring loyalty through patronage.
What is a common issue with large revolutionary groups?
A) They are easier to organize
B) They struggle to monitor and punish free riders
C) They always succeed
D) They prefer democratic elections
B
In large revolutionary groups, it becomes difficult to track participation and enforce commitment, leading to the free-rider problem—where individuals benefit from the revolution’s success without actively contributing. This weakens collective action and makes organization more challenging.
What does a successful revolution require?
A) A well-defined tipping event
B) A large military force
C) The dictator’s approval
D) A single powerful leader
A
A successful revolution typically requires a tipping event—a catalyst that shifts public sentiment and mobilizes mass participation. This could be an economic crisis, a political scandal, government repression backfiring, or a visible act of defiance that sparks widespread action.
Why do authoritarian regimes sometimes allow limited opposition parties?
A) To create real democratic competition
B) To monitor dissent and co-opt opposition
C) To give up power voluntarily
D) To comply with international law
B
Authoritarian regimes allow limited opposition to track potential threats, absorb dissent, and create an illusion of legitimacy without actually ceding power. This helps them control the political landscape while maintaining authoritarian rule.
What is an autocratic elite rule change?
A shift in elite control that reshapes leadership and policies, creating a new regime even if some incumbents stay.
What are the risks of a military dictatorship?
3 points
1) High risk of coups
2) Shorter tenure due to factionalism
3) Greater reliance on repression
How does foreign conquest lead to dictatorship?
An external power installs a ruling group, replacing democratic, autocratic, or nonstate governance.
What is a revolutionary threshold?
level of discontent needed for an individual to join a revolution
Why do larger groups struggle with collective action?
monitoring and punishing free riders becomes more difficult, reducing overall participation
Which of the following best describes a personalist dictatorship?
A) A regime where the military rules directly
B) A regime ruled by a dominant political party
C) A regime where power is concentrated in one leader
D) A monarchy with a strong royal family
C
In a personalist dictatorship, a single leader dominates decision-making, suppresses opposition, and often eliminates institutional constraints on their power. Examples include North Korea under Kim Jong-un and Turkmenistan under Saparmurat Niyazov.
Which dictatorship type tends to be the most stable?
A) Monarchic
B) Military
C) Personalist
D) Insurgent
A
Monarchic dictatorships tend to be the most stable because of clear succession rules, elite cohesion, and long-standing legitimacy based on tradition. Unlike military or personalist regimes, monarchies often avoid internal power struggles and coups, leading to longer-lasting rule.
Why do military regimes often transition out of power?
A) They face internal factionalism
B) They hold free elections
C) They encourage democracy
D) They receive too much foreign aid
A
Military regimes often transition out of power because they struggle with internal factionalism, as different military factions compete for control. This weakens cohesion and increases the likelihood of coups, leading to either democratization or a shift to another form of authoritarian rule.
What is an example of a dominant-party regime?
A) North Korea under Kim Jong-un
B) Myanmar’s military government
C) Saudi Arabia’s monarchy
D) Singapore under the PAP
D
A dominant-party regime is an authoritarian system where a single ruling party controls the state and political system, even if elections occur. The People’s Action Party (PAP) in Singapore has maintained power since 1959, allowing limited opposition while keeping tight control over governance.
- North Korea under Kim Jong-un → Personalist dictatorship
- Myanmar’s military government → Military dictatorship
- Saudi Arabia’s monarchy → Monarchic dictatorship
What is the most common way a dictatorship ends?
A) Popular uprisings
B) Coups
C) Elections
D) Insurgencies
B
Coups are the most common method by which dictatorships end. A study analyzing coup attempts from 1950 to 2010 found that out of 457 recorded attempts, 227 (49.7%) were successful, leading to significant political changes . While other factors like popular uprisings, elections, and insurgencies can also lead to the downfall of dictatorial regimes, coups—often orchestrated by military factions or political elites—remain the predominant mechanism for such transitions.
What is spoiling in coup-proofing?
Increasing military resources to reduce coup willingness despite enhancing coup capability
Why do insurgent regimes struggle with legitimacy?
They often rely on coercion rather than persuasion, making governance difficult post-revolution.
What is the role of propaganda in authoritarian regimes?
3 points
shape public perception
legitimize rule
suppress opposition
How do dictators balance repression and co-optation?
2 points
repression to eliminate threats
co-optation to reward loyalty and prevent defections.
What is a hybrid regime?
A government that combines democratic and authoritarian elements, often holding elections that are not fully free or fair.
Which of the following is a common challenge for dominant-party regimes?
A) Military coups
B) Managing elite defections
C) Succession crises
D) Both B and C
D
Dominant-party regimes, like the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) or Singapore’s PAP, rely on a strong party structure to maintain control. However, they face two major challenges:
- Managing elite defections → If high-ranking officials or factions within the party break away, it can weaken the regime’s grip on power.
- Succession crises → Unlike monarchies, dominant-party regimes often struggle with leadership transitions, as there may be competition among elites for power after a long-standing leader steps down.
While military coups (A) can threaten any dictatorship, dominant-party regimes are typically more resistant to them compared to military or personalist regimes.
What is a rent-seeking elite?
Elites who extract wealth without contributing to economic productivity, often through corruption or patronage networks.
Why do some dictators allow limited opposition?
A) To strengthen democratic institutions
B) To monitor dissent and prevent real competition
C) To transition to democracy
D) To gain international legitimacy
B
Dictators allow limited opposition not to promote democracy, but to:
- Keep track of dissenters and identify potential threats.
- Create an illusion of pluralism to maintain legitimacy while ensuring real competition is blocked.
- Co-opt opposition figures by offering them controlled participation in the system.
What is the purpose of state surveillance in authoritarian regimes?
A) To ensure security
B) To control public behavior and deter opposition
C) To improve government transparency
D) To increase voter turnout
B
In authoritarian regimes, state surveillance is used to monitor dissent, suppress opposition, and maintain control over the population. Governments use tactics like:
- Mass surveillance (e.g., internet monitoring, phone tapping)
- Censorship and propaganda
- Targeting activists and opposition leaders
Which of the following factors makes a revolution more likely?
A) Economic downturn
B) Strong opposition leadership
C) Increased government repression
D) All of the above
D
Revolutions are more likely when multiple destabilizing factors align:
- Economic downturn (A) → Hardship increases public dissatisfaction and reduces the regime’s ability to provide patronage.
- Strong opposition leadership (B) → A well-organized opposition can mobilize people and provide a clear alternative to the regime.
- Increased government repression (C) → Excessive repression can backfire, fueling anger and radicalizing opposition instead of deterring it.
What is the selectorate theory?
A theory that explains authoritarian stability based on the size of the ruling coalition and the selectorate (those who have a say in leadership selection).
Why do personalist dictatorships tend to collapse violently?
Because power is centralized in one leader, there are no institutionalized succession mechanisms, leading to instability when the leader is removed.
What is a military purge?
The removal of disloyal officers to prevent coups and solidify control over the armed forces.
Why do authoritarian regimes often emphasize nationalism?
3 points
unify the population
justify repression
distract from internal problems
What is the dictator’s dilemma?
the more a dictator represses dissent, the less reliable information they receive about public opinion
this, in turn, increases paranoia and instability
Which regime type is most likely to allow some political competition?
A) Military dictatorship
B) Personalist dictatorship
C) Dominant-party dictatorship
D) Monarchic dictatorship
C
Dominant-party dictatorships are the most likely to allow some political competition, though it is usually controlled and manipulated. These regimes, such as China under the CCP or Singapore under the PAP, may permit opposition parties to exist, hold elections, and allow limited dissent without actually threatening their grip on power. In contrast:
- Military dictatorships (A) tend to suppress opposition forcefully.
- Personalist dictatorships (B) revolve around a single ruler and concentrate power, limiting competition.
- Monarchic dictatorships (D) rely on hereditary rule and rarely allow meaningful political competition.
What is the best predictor of whether a dictatorship will hold elections?
A) Economic growth
B) International pressure
C) Presence of a ruling party
D) Military strength
C
In authoritarian regimes, the existence of a dominant ruling party is a strong predictor of whether elections will be held. These regimes often use elections as a tool to maintain legitimacy, manage elite competition, and monitor public sentiment, all while ensuring the ruling party’s continued dominance. While factors like economic growth, international pressure, and military strength can influence the political landscape, the presence of an established ruling party is the most significant indicator that elections will occur, albeit often controlled and non-competitive.
Which of the following is NOT a coup-proofing strategy?
A) Creating rival security forces
B) Holding free elections
C) Rotating military leadership
D) Conducting military purges
B
Holding free elections is not a coup-proofing strategy. In fact, free elections can empower opposition groups and potentially lead to a transfer of power away from the incumbent regime. In contrast, the other options are common coup-proofing strategies:
- Creating rival security forces: Establishing multiple security agencies with overlapping responsibilities to monitor each other and prevent any single group from gaining enough power to stage a coup. 
- Rotating military leadership: Frequently changing military commanders to prevent them from building a loyal base that could support a coup attempt.
- Conducting military purges: Removing or reassigning military personnel suspected of disloyalty to deter potential coup plotters.
