Resisting Backsliding: Opposition Strategies against the Erosion of Democracy

Resisting Backsliding explores why some executives successfully erode democracy while others fail, focusing on the strategies and goals of the opposition. It emphasizes the importance of agency and shows that even weak oppositions can defeat strong potential autocrats.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 03 November 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

In the past two decades, democratically elected executives across the world have wielded their popularity to advocate for legislation that, over time, undermines systems of checks and balances, hinders free and fair elections, and erodes political rights and civil liberties. Some executives have successfully transformed their countries' democracies into competitive authoritarian regimes by using and abusing institutions and institutional reform. Conversely, others have failed to erode democracy.

Resisting Backsliding, a comprehensive book, seeks to answer the question of why some executives successfully erode democracy while others fail. With a focus on the cases of Hugo Chávez in Venezuela and Alvaro Uribe in Colombia, the book demonstrates that the strategies and goals of the opposition play a crucial role in understanding these different outcomes. By highlighting the opposition's role, the book emphasizes the importance of agency in understanding democratic backsliding and shows that even weak oppositions can defeat strong potential autocrats.

The book begins by examining the political context in which these executives emerged. It explores the factors that contributed to their rise to power, including economic crises, social unrest, and the decline of traditional political parties. It also examines the political institutions and systems in place in these countries, including the role of the judiciary, the media, and civil society organizations.

The book then delves into the strategies and tactics employed by these executives to undermine democracy. It explores how they used their power to control the media, suppress opposition voices, and manipulate the electoral process. It also examines how they used institutions and institutional reform to consolidate their power and erode democratic norms and values.

One of the key findings of the book is that the strategies and goals of the opposition are critical in determining the outcome of democratic backsliding. The book shows that even weak oppositions can defeat strong potential autocrats if they are able to mobilize and organize effectively. It emphasizes the importance of building strong and resilient opposition movements that are able to challenge the executive's power and hold them accountable for their actions.

The book also highlights the role of international actors in preventing and responding to democratic backsliding. It examines the role of the United Nations, the European Union, and other regional and international organizations in promoting democracy and human rights. It also examines the challenges these organizations face in implementing their policies and programs in countries where democracy is under threat.

In conclusion, Resisting Backsliding is a valuable contribution to the study of democratic backsliding. By examining the cases of Hugo Chávez in Venezuela and Alvaro Uribe in Colombia, the book provides a comprehensive analysis of the factors that contribute to democratic decline and the strategies and tactics employed by executives to undermine democracy. It emphasizes the importance of the opposition's role in preventing and responding to democratic backsliding and highlights the need for strong and resilient opposition movements and international support to promote democracy and human rights.

Weight: 496g
Dimension: 151 x 228 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781009164078