Description
Book SynopsisThis book gives readers a better understanding of contemporary dictatorships and the policy implications of political struggles that occur in them. Its accessible, evidence-based insights into how dictatorships rise, survive, and fall will appeal to both experienced academic researchers and students of political science.
Trade Review'How Dictatorships Work artfully combines the minutia of autocratic rule – as with the Turkmen dictator naming his dentist as his successor after successfully replacing his teeth with gold - with rigorous attention to general patterns based on an assiduously collected and award-winning dataset in order to illuminate the multifarious challenges faced by 'seizure groups' and their leaders that seek to consolidate rule and stave off oppositional conspiracies.' David D. Laitin, Stanford University, California
'This book is a landmark contribution on the logics of autocratic rule. With insightful theorizing, novel empirical data and captivating historical detail, the authors offer answers to some of the most critical questions about autocratic rule: why some autocrats establish stable governments while others suffer continuous revolts? Why some create pseudo democratic institutions and others do not? Why some distribute benefits broadly while others concentrate these among a small group of regime loyalists? This book will set the agenda for the study of authoritarianism for years to come.' Beatriz Magaloni, Freeman Spogli Institute, Stanford University, California
'How Dictatorships Work masterfully illustrates the paths autocrats take to power and the ways in which they keep it.' Anna Grzymala-Busse
'The book is essential reading for anyone interested in authoritarian politics, democratization or comparative politics.' Albertus Schoeman, Democratization
Table of Contents1. Introduction; Part I. Initiation: 2. Autocratic seizures of power; 3. What do we know about coups?; Part II. Elite Consolidation: 4. Power concentration: the effect of elite factionalism on personalization; 5. Dictatorial survival strategies in challenging conditions: factionalized armed supporters and party creation; Part III. Ruling Society: Implementation and Information Gathering: 6. Why parties and elections in dictatorships?; 7. Double-edged swords: specialized institutions for monitoring and coercion; Part IV. Dictatorial Survival and Breakdown: 8. Why dictatorships fall; 9. Conclusion and policy implications.
