Authoritarian Practices in a Global Age

This book challenges the assumption that authoritarianism is necessarily a phenomenon located at the level of the state and that states as a whole are either democratic or authoritarian. It provides a parsimonious framework for recognizing and analyzing contemporary manifestations of authoritarianism beyond the state, alongside a number of empirical case studies. The empirical chapters cast a wide net and draw out commonalities and unique features from the case studies, setting out a research agenda for future work.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 05 January 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press

This book challenges the notion that authoritarianism is solely confined to the state level, suggesting that states as a whole can be either democratic or authoritarian. Its primary objective is to shed light on manifestations of authoritarianism that extend beyond the territorial boundaries of the modern state and cannot be fully captured by the concept of an authoritarian regime. By redefining authoritarianism from a practice perspective, the book aims to understand how authoritarian practices emerge, evolve, and thrive within democracies and transnational contexts.

Authoritarian Practices in a Global Age offers a concise framework for recognizing and analyzing contemporary manifestations of authoritarianism beyond the state. It includes a range of empirical case studies that cover various aspects of authoritarianism, such as transnational repression by authoritarian states, informal and formal multilateral collaboration in anti-terrorist policies, corporate and public-private authoritarian practices in the mining sector, and cover-ups of child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church.

The empirical chapters provide a comprehensive examination of authoritarian practices in different contexts. They offer a rich source of data and insights into the ways in which authoritarianism manifests itself in contemporary society. The study of transnational repression by authoritarian states, for instance, explores how authoritarian governments use their power and influence beyond their borders to suppress opposition and maintain control. The chapters on informal and formal multilateral collaboration in anti-terrorist policies examine how authoritarian states collaborate with other countries to counter terrorism, often at the expense of human rights and democratic values. The chapter on corporate and public-private authoritarian practices in the mining sector explores how businesses and governments engage in authoritarian practices to exploit natural resources and maintain control over communities. Finally, the chapter on cover-ups of child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church highlights how authoritarian institutions can perpetuate abuse and cover up their actions, undermining the trust of the public and damaging the reputation of the church.

The concluding chapter of the book draws out commonalities and unique features from the case studies, setting out a research agenda for future work. It emphasizes the need for classification and comparison of authoritarian practices, as well as establishing causal connections with other phenomena such as violence, corruption, and inequality. By understanding the drivers and consequences of authoritarianism, the book suggests ways of responding to these practices, including promoting democratic governance, protecting human rights, and addressing the root causes of authoritarianism.

In conclusion, Authoritarian Practices in a Global Age offers a valuable contribution to the study of authoritarianism by challenging the traditional state-centric perspective and expanding our understanding of authoritarian practices in a globalized world. Through its comprehensive empirical case studies and thoughtful analysis, the book provides a valuable resource for scholars, policymakers, and activists seeking to understand and address the challenges posed by authoritarianism in contemporary society.

Weight: 524g
Dimension: 240 x 164 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192862655