Eda Keremoglu
International observers generally praise the rise in female politicians in autocracies, but the inclusion of women in politics can also be a means by which autocrats polish their image without real reform. Janina Beiser-McGrath and Eda Keremoğlu caution that authoritarian states do not necessarily become more democratic, even if women gain real power in their cabinets. Read more
Gülşen Doğan
Gülşen Doğan describes how charismatic leadership, propaganda, and a commitment to stable governance are behind the rise of autocratic populists. Read more
Ed Dolan
Regime classifications are in dire need of better 'adjectives'. Ed Dolan introduces a new typology focused on rule compliance, which matters greatly in democracies and in authoritarian regimes. China is the non-compliant authoritarian regime exception that shows why. Read more
Collins Molua Ikome
Collins Molua Ikome writes that the political and electoral landscape in Cameroon makes it impossible to defeat the ruling CPDM party in an election. Paul Biya's regime is exploiting the Anglophone conflict to consolidate power. A potential military coup in Cameroon is, however, unlikely Read more
Nathan Brown
Conceptions of authoritarianism have broadened to include all nondemocratic rule. Unnoticeably in that process, the role of religion and religious institutions has declined. Political and religious authority interact and overlap. Nathan Brown argues that rediscovering how they do so will help us refine our understanding of autocracy Read more
Katharina Natter
Throughout 2023 Tunisia's immigration policies have made headlines, with authoritarian President Saied’s xenophobic speech, a new EU-Tunisia migration deal, and repeated protests condemning violence against Black migrants. But authoritarianism doesn’t inevitably result in increased migrant rights violations. Nor, however, does democratisation guarantee improved rights, as Katharina Natter shows Read more
Aili Mari Tripp
Autocratising governments in countries from Hungary to Turkey and Russia are eroding women’s rights. While this is indeed a worrying trend, Aili Mari Tripp argues we must consider that autocratisation looks different depending on a country’s historical legacies and geopolitical situation. This influences the types of women’s rights a regime might seek to undo Read more
The Loop
Cutting-edge analysis showcasing the work of the political science discipline at its best.
