session overview - wordpress.com · session overview • in the previous ... • andrew heywood...

Session Overview

• In the previous session, you learned about democracy• The impression you got from that discussion is that

democracy is at least the best form of governmentavailable to human kind

• It is interesting to know that even though there seem tobe a universal acceptance of democracy, it is not everystate that practices it

• The reality is that the world is full of other forms ofgovernment which are very inimical to the liberties ofthe individuals

• One such form of government is authoritarianism• In this session, you will learn about definitions of

authoritarianism and discuss the types of this form ofgovernment

• In the previous session, you learned about democracy• The impression you got from that discussion is that

democracy is at least the best form of governmentavailable to human kind

• It is interesting to know that even though there seem tobe a universal acceptance of democracy, it is not everystate that practices it

• The reality is that the world is full of other forms ofgovernment which are very inimical to the liberties ofthe individuals

• One such form of government is authoritarianism• In this session, you will learn about definitions of

authoritarianism and discuss the types of this form ofgovernment 2

Session Outline

• This session covers the following topics:– Definition and features of Authoritarianism– Types of Authoritarian Regimes– Varieties of Authoritarianism– Thy myths of Authoritarianism

• This session covers the following topics:– Definition and features of Authoritarianism– Types of Authoritarian Regimes– Varieties of Authoritarianism– Thy myths of Authoritarianism

3

TOPIC ONEDefinition of AuthoritarianismTOPIC ONEDefinition of Authoritarianism

4

What is Authoritarianism?

• According to Jackson and Jackson, authoritarianismdepicts political systems that contrast withdemocracy by resting more upon the obedience ofcitizens than their consent

• Andrew Heywood also defines authoritarianism as abelief in or practice of government ‘from above,’ inwhich authority is exercised regardless of popularconsent

• To Heywood, authoritarianism differs from authority• The latter rest on legitimacy and in that sense it

arises ‘from below’• Authoritarian regimes therefore emphasize the

claims of authority over those individual liberties

• According to Jackson and Jackson, authoritarianismdepicts political systems that contrast withdemocracy by resting more upon the obedience ofcitizens than their consent

• Andrew Heywood also defines authoritarianism as abelief in or practice of government ‘from above,’ inwhich authority is exercised regardless of popularconsent

• To Heywood, authoritarianism differs from authority• The latter rest on legitimacy and in that sense it

arises ‘from below’• Authoritarian regimes therefore emphasize the

claims of authority over those individual liberties 5

What is Authoritarianism? (cont’d)

• Iain Mclean defines authoritarianism as a style ofgovernment in which the rulers demandunquestionable obedience from the ruled

• Traditionally authoritarians have argued for a highdegree of determination by governments of thebelief and behavior and a corresponding smallersignificance for individual choice

• Mclean argues that it is possible to be authoritarianin some spheres and be more liberal in others

• However, authoritarianism refers to overwhelmingand intolerant government irrespective of thejustification

• Iain Mclean defines authoritarianism as a style ofgovernment in which the rulers demandunquestionable obedience from the ruled

• Traditionally authoritarians have argued for a highdegree of determination by governments of thebelief and behavior and a corresponding smallersignificance for individual choice

• Mclean argues that it is possible to be authoritarianin some spheres and be more liberal in others

• However, authoritarianism refers to overwhelmingand intolerant government irrespective of thejustification 6


• It is common for authoritarians to impose onepolitical group on everyone else

• They usual restrict pluralism and limit publicparticipation, calling for obedience and not consent

• Authoritarianism is considered a very old formgovernment because of association in Westernculture with tyrants, despots, monarchs, sultans,and czars

• Even though all states rely on some form ofauthority to rule, authoritarian state uses a highdegree of coercion to obtain obedience

• Every authoritarian state is governed by a singleruler or an elite ruling group

• It is common for authoritarians to impose onepolitical group on everyone else

• They usual restrict pluralism and limit publicparticipation, calling for obedience and not consent

• Authoritarianism is considered a very old formgovernment because of association in Westernculture with tyrants, despots, monarchs, sultans,and czars

• Even though all states rely on some form ofauthority to rule, authoritarian state uses a highdegree of coercion to obtain obedience

• Every authoritarian state is governed by a singleruler or an elite ruling group 7


• Power is organized by the elites through themilitary, bureaucracy, religious leaders, orsimilar authorities

• All political activities are dominated by theseelites

• The media which is expected to play a watchdogrole in a state is carefully controlled or censored

• Under authoritarian regimes very little effort ismade to mobilize the people for political action

• Power is organized by the elites through themilitary, bureaucracy, religious leaders, orsimilar authorities

• All political activities are dominated by theseelites

• The media which is expected to play a watchdogrole in a state is carefully controlled or censored

• Under authoritarian regimes very little effort ismade to mobilize the people for political action

8


• Authoritarian leaders are usually the solerepositories of power and authority within thepolitical system

• Their tenure of office depends not on electionsbut on a combination of myth and might

• The people in an authoritarian state arenormally told that obedience is their moral orsacred duty

• Rulers are ready to use brute or naked powerto maintain political power

• Authoritarian leaders are usually the solerepositories of power and authority within thepolitical system

• Their tenure of office depends not on electionsbut on a combination of myth and might

• The people in an authoritarian state arenormally told that obedience is their moral orsacred duty

• Rulers are ready to use brute or naked powerto maintain political power

9

FEATURESof AUTHORITARIAN STATES

The characteristics or features ofauthoritarianism are:

•Authoritarian rulers usually come to powerthrough force or violence

•Authoritarian states have the uniquecharacteristics of maintaining the ruler’smonopoly of power

•Authoritarian rulers often impose strict presscensorship, outlaw political parties and exertfirm control over the legal system

The characteristics or features ofauthoritarianism are:

•Authoritarian rulers usually come to powerthrough force or violence

•Authoritarian states have the uniquecharacteristics of maintaining the ruler’smonopoly of power

•Authoritarian rulers often impose strict presscensorship, outlaw political parties and exertfirm control over the legal system

10

FEATURESof AUTHORITARIAN STATES (cont’d)

• Even though some authoritarian states promotemodernization and industrialization (forexample South Korea and Turkey), mostauthoritarian regimes are characterized byunderdeveloped agrarian economies and sharpdecline in standards of living

• Even though some authoritarian states promotemodernization and industrialization (forexample South Korea and Turkey), mostauthoritarian regimes are characterized byunderdeveloped agrarian economies and sharpdecline in standards of living

11

Topic TwoTypes of Authoritarian RegimesTopic TwoTypes of Authoritarian Regimes

12

Dictatorship

• Aristotle called political systems that consist ofan individual ruling in his or her own self-interest tyrannies.

• Over time, the term tyranny has been replacedby the term dictatorship

• The concept of a dictator or absolute rulercomes from ancient Rome

• It applied to the appointment of a chiefmagistrate given absolute power temporarilyto deal with a war or other emergencysituations

• Aristotle called political systems that consist ofan individual ruling in his or her own self-interest tyrannies.

• Over time, the term tyranny has been replacedby the term dictatorship

• The concept of a dictator or absolute rulercomes from ancient Rome

• It applied to the appointment of a chiefmagistrate given absolute power temporarilyto deal with a war or other emergencysituations 13

Dictatorship (cont’d)

• In the modern usage of the term, however,dictators are seen as being above the law andas acting beyond constitutional constraints

• Dictatorship is strictly, a form of rule in whichabsolute power is vested in one individual

• Dictatorship is synonymous with autocracy• Generally, dictatorship is characterized by the

arbitrary and unchecked exercise of power

• In the modern usage of the term, however,dictators are seen as being above the law andas acting beyond constitutional constraints

• Dictatorship is strictly, a form of rule in whichabsolute power is vested in one individual

• Dictatorship is synonymous with autocracy• Generally, dictatorship is characterized by the

arbitrary and unchecked exercise of power

14

Dictatorship (cont’d)

• The concept dictatorship is an ideal type, since in arealworld situation, no leader has ever had absolute powerover decisions in his society

• Some leaders obviously aspire to absolute power, but itis never attained completely

• The biggest headache of dictators is that they areconstantly worried that a group of people may turnagainst them some day

• Leaders such as Hitler of Nazi Germany, Stalin of SovietUnion, Mao Zedong of China, and Ayatollah Khomeini ofIran were all referred to as dictators

• In Africa, leaders like Emperor Bokassa of CentralAfrican Republic, Idi Amin Dada of Uganda, and SamDoe of Liberia, among others have also beencharacterized as dictators

• The concept dictatorship is an ideal type, since in arealworld situation, no leader has ever had absolute powerover decisions in his society

• Some leaders obviously aspire to absolute power, but itis never attained completely

• The biggest headache of dictators is that they areconstantly worried that a group of people may turnagainst them some day

• Leaders such as Hitler of Nazi Germany, Stalin of SovietUnion, Mao Zedong of China, and Ayatollah Khomeini ofIran were all referred to as dictators

• In Africa, leaders like Emperor Bokassa of CentralAfrican Republic, Idi Amin Dada of Uganda, and SamDoe of Liberia, among others have also beencharacterized as dictators

15

Totalitarianism

• In contrast to with other forms of authoritarianrule, totalitarianism is a twentieth centuryphenomenon

• The concept is used to describe those states inwhich leaders impose their objectives or goalson their people to an unlimited degree

• Totalitarianism is an all-encompassing systemof political rule that is typically established bypervasive ideological manipulation and openterror and brutality

• In contrast to with other forms of authoritarianrule, totalitarianism is a twentieth centuryphenomenon

• The concept is used to describe those states inwhich leaders impose their objectives or goalson their people to an unlimited degree

• Totalitarianism is an all-encompassing systemof political rule that is typically established bypervasive ideological manipulation and openterror and brutality 16

Totalitarianism (cont’d)

• In totalitarian systems efforts are made tocontrol all aspects of society

• The total concentration of power in the hands ofthe leader is justified on grounds of the rapidindustrial development, social transformation,mass mobilization and even war

• Totalitarianism seeks total power through thepoliticization of every aspect of social andpersonal existence

• Totalitarianism implies the outright abolition ofcivil society

• In totalitarian systems efforts are made tocontrol all aspects of society

• The total concentration of power in the hands ofthe leader is justified on grounds of the rapidindustrial development, social transformation,mass mobilization and even war

• Totalitarianism seeks total power through thepoliticization of every aspect of social andpersonal existence

• Totalitarianism implies the outright abolition ofcivil society 17

Components of Authoritarianism

The major components of totalitarianism includethe following:

• An official ideology covering all aspects ofhuman endeavor

• A single mass party based on this ideology• A secret police for dominating the population• Control of the means of communication• A monopoly of coercive mechanisms such as

the military• Central control of the economy

The major components of totalitarianism includethe following:

• An official ideology covering all aspects ofhuman endeavor

• A single mass party based on this ideology• A secret police for dominating the population• Control of the means of communication• A monopoly of coercive mechanisms such as

the military• Central control of the economy 18

TOPIC THREE

Varieties of AuthoritarianismTOPIC THREE

Varieties of Authoritarianism

19

Communism

• Communism, in its simplest sense, is thecommunal organization of social existence onthe basis of the collective ownership of property

• As a theoretical ideal, it is associated with thewritings of Marx

• To Marx, communism meant a classless societyin which wealth was owned in commonproduction was geared to human need, and thestate had withered away allowing forspontaneous harmony and self-realization

• Communism, in its simplest sense, is thecommunal organization of social existence onthe basis of the collective ownership of property

• As a theoretical ideal, it is associated with thewritings of Marx

• To Marx, communism meant a classless societyin which wealth was owned in commonproduction was geared to human need, and thestate had withered away allowing forspontaneous harmony and self-realization 20

Communism (cont’d)

• States that best exemplify the extreme totalitarianend of the authoritarian spectrum are those led bycommunist leaders with strict adherence to theMarxist-Leninist doctrine.

• Communist regime was established in Russianfollowing the seizure of power by Nickolay Lenin’sBolsheviks

• With the support of the Union of Soviet SocialistRepublics (USSR), communism spread to other partsof the world

• Communism was prevalent in Eastern Europeancountries and parts of Asia and Africa

• States that best exemplify the extreme totalitarianend of the authoritarian spectrum are those led bycommunist leaders with strict adherence to theMarxist-Leninist doctrine.

• Communist regime was established in Russianfollowing the seizure of power by Nickolay Lenin’sBolsheviks

• With the support of the Union of Soviet SocialistRepublics (USSR), communism spread to other partsof the world

• Communism was prevalent in Eastern Europeancountries and parts of Asia and Africa 21


• Communist regimes operate commandeconomies which they consider as a way ofdistributing production, but it is too rigid andlacks adaptability to change

• It stifles initiative and does not encourage theintroduction of new technology

• Surprisingly, most communist regimes boughttheir advanced technology from the capitalistworld

• Communist regimes operate commandeconomies which they consider as a way ofdistributing production, but it is too rigid andlacks adaptability to change

• It stifles initiative and does not encourage theintroduction of new technology

• Surprisingly, most communist regimes boughttheir advanced technology from the capitalistworld

22


• A criticism of official policies and procedures isnot allowed except at the very highest level, acompliant citizenry is almost guaranteed

• There is no institution that can compete withthe communist party and its leaders

• A criticism of official policies and procedures isnot allowed except at the very highest level, acompliant citizenry is almost guaranteed

• There is no institution that can compete withthe communist party and its leaders

23

Features of Communism

The key features of communism include the following:

• Marxism- Leninism is the official ideology

• A communist party that is organized on the principles of democratic centralismenjoys a monopoly of political power

• The communist party rules in the sense that it dominates the state machine,creating a fused state-party apparatus

• The communist party plays a leading and guiding role in society, controllingall institutions, including the economic, educational, cultural, and recreationalinstitutions

• Economic life is based on state collectivization and it is organized through acentral planning system

The key features of communism include the following:

• Marxism- Leninism is the official ideology

• A communist party that is organized on the principles of democratic centralismenjoys a monopoly of political power

• The communist party rules in the sense that it dominates the state machine,creating a fused state-party apparatus

• The communist party plays a leading and guiding role in society, controllingall institutions, including the economic, educational, cultural, and recreationalinstitutions

• Economic life is based on state collectivization and it is organized through acentral planning system 24

One-party

• One-party system is a situation where single party enjoysa monopoly of power through the exclusion of all otherparties either through political or constitutional means


• One-party system is usually fragile and unstable becausethere is no constitutional means of changing government,coup d’états are quiet common in such systems

• One party system in Africa and Asia have usually beenbuilt around the dominant role of a charismatic leader

• Today, many one-party systems are undergoingtransformations into multi-party democracies



• One-party system is usually fragile and unstable becausethere is no constitutional means of changing government,coup d’états are quiet common in such systems

• One party system in Africa and Asia have usually beenbuilt around the dominant role of a charismatic leader

• Today, many one-party systems are undergoingtransformations into multi-party democracies 25

Reasons forthe Establishment of One-Party

Normally, one-party state emerges for avariety of reasons

•First, many one parties developed from anti-colonial movements that became associatedwith the newly independent state

•Secondly, some one parties emerge aftermilitary coup d’états when the military want todisengage from politics and they nurture oneparty to have a firm handle on power

Normally, one-party state emerges for avariety of reasons

•First, many one parties developed from anti-colonial movements that became associatedwith the newly independent state

•Secondly, some one parties emerge aftermilitary coup d’états when the military want todisengage from politics and they nurture oneparty to have a firm handle on power

26

Military Regimes

• When a group of military officers take over agovernment, the regime they establish is calledmilitary government

• Military take over differ from country to country,but the most dramatic of the takeovers is a coupd’état usually characterized by the use of violence.

• Military regimes belong to a broader category ofauthoritarianism

• Coup d’états have been widespread in the modernworld especially in Latin America, the Middle East,Africa and South East Asia, but it also emerged after1945 in Spain, Portugal and Greece

• When a group of military officers take over agovernment, the regime they establish is calledmilitary government

• Military take over differ from country to country,but the most dramatic of the takeovers is a coupd’état usually characterized by the use of violence.

• Military regimes belong to a broader category ofauthoritarianism

• Coup d’états have been widespread in the modernworld especially in Latin America, the Middle East,Africa and South East Asia, but it also emerged after1945 in Spain, Portugal and Greece

27

Characteristics of Military Regimes

Military regimes have the followingcharacteristics:

•Leading positions in the government are filledon the basis of the person’s position within themilitary hierarchy

•Normal political and constitutionalarrangements and institutions like constitutionsand legislatures and suspended

•The means by which the people can expresstheir independent views like the free press iseither controlled or abolished

Military regimes have the followingcharacteristics:

•Leading positions in the government are filledon the basis of the person’s position within themilitary hierarchy

•Normal political and constitutionalarrangements and institutions like constitutionsand legislatures and suspended

•The means by which the people can expresstheir independent views like the free press iseither controlled or abolished 28

Types of Military Regimes

There are two basic types of military governments: Direct andIndirect

1. In the direct military government, the military actually assumesthe role of government. Military officers usually act as cabinetministers and the military runs the public bureaucracy, the policeand other government institutions

2. In the indirect military rule, the military leaders do not assumethe dominant positions in government. They rather maintain apuppet government by influencing the important decisions of thegovernment

• It is very difficult for the military to exist in a stable andenduring political form

• While military leaders may highlight the endemic weakness,intractable division and chronic corruption within governmentand often use these problems to justify takeover, it is unlikelythat military rule will provide a sustainable solution to theseproblems

There are two basic types of military governments: Direct andIndirect

1. In the direct military government, the military actually assumesthe role of government. Military officers usually act as cabinetministers and the military runs the public bureaucracy, the policeand other government institutions

2. In the indirect military rule, the military leaders do not assumethe dominant positions in government. They rather maintain apuppet government by influencing the important decisions of thegovernment

• It is very difficult for the military to exist in a stable andenduring political form

• While military leaders may highlight the endemic weakness,intractable division and chronic corruption within governmentand often use these problems to justify takeover, it is unlikelythat military rule will provide a sustainable solution to theseproblems

29

Dynastic and Court

• These regimes are very close to the ancient formsof tyranny and dictatorships in which a singleperson, such as a king, held almost completepolitical power

• This system of rule resembles those found incertain European countries like France, Englandand Spain before the rise of popular consent inthe eighteenth century

• In dynastic or court regimes, leaders rule overtheir people in much the same way as monarchsdid before the advent of constitutional monarchy

• These regimes are very close to the ancient formsof tyranny and dictatorships in which a singleperson, such as a king, held almost completepolitical power

• This system of rule resembles those found incertain European countries like France, Englandand Spain before the rise of popular consent inthe eighteenth century

• In dynastic or court regimes, leaders rule overtheir people in much the same way as monarchsdid before the advent of constitutional monarchy

30

Dynastic and court• People obey the leaders usually out of fear that

failure to do so will elicit force from the powers• Legitimacy and authority are accorded to the leader

based on custom and inheritance• Monarchs usually inherit their powers and authority

by birth, and often assert their right to rule as beingeternal, inviolable and ordained by God

• During the middle ages, such reigns were justifiedby the doctrine of the Divine Right of Kings

• Today, many dynasties are found in the Middle East,where most of the leaders have extensive oilresources to consolidate their rule. Examples ofsuch states include; Saudi Arabia, Oman, Brunei,Jordan, Morocco etc.

• People obey the leaders usually out of fear thatfailure to do so will elicit force from the powers

• Legitimacy and authority are accorded to the leaderbased on custom and inheritance

• Monarchs usually inherit their powers and authorityby birth, and often assert their right to rule as beingeternal, inviolable and ordained by God

• During the middle ages, such reigns were justifiedby the doctrine of the Divine Right of Kings

• Today, many dynasties are found in the Middle East,where most of the leaders have extensive oilresources to consolidate their rule. Examples ofsuch states include; Saudi Arabia, Oman, Brunei,Jordan, Morocco etc. 31

Theocratic Rule• Theocracy (literally mean rule by God), is the principle that

religious authority should prevail over political authority• A theocracy is therefore a regime in which government posts

are filled on the basis of the person’s position in the religioushierarchy

• Theocracy refers to state that is governed by religious leaders• This system sharply contrasts the secular system where

political and religious positions are separated– Israel, though a democracy, calls itself a state based on

Judaism.– The Vatican state, which is governed by the Pope and the

leaders of the Catholic Church, is also an example oftheocracy

– Until recently, Afghanistan under the Taliban was also atheocratic state

• Theocracy (literally mean rule by God), is the principle thatreligious authority should prevail over political authority

• A theocracy is therefore a regime in which government postsare filled on the basis of the person’s position in the religioushierarchy

• Theocracy refers to state that is governed by religious leaders• This system sharply contrasts the secular system where

political and religious positions are separated– Israel, though a democracy, calls itself a state based on

Judaism.– The Vatican state, which is governed by the Pope and the

leaders of the Catholic Church, is also an example oftheocracy

– Until recently, Afghanistan under the Taliban was also atheocratic state 32

Theocratic Rule (cont’d)

• The Iranian state is also under the absolute control ofthe clergy

• The state in 1979 embraced fundamentalist Islamgrounded in Shiite Muslim principles

• The Islamic Republican Party, dominated by the clergy,controlled all political institutions, including Parliament

• The regime has all the ingredients of an extremeauthoritarian system

• Religion is the ideological glue that holds the state andits institutions together

• Theocratic rule is illiberal in two senses– First, it violates the distinction between private and

public realms– Second, it invests political authority

• The Iranian state is also under the absolute control ofthe clergy

• The state in 1979 embraced fundamentalist Islamgrounded in Shiite Muslim principles

• The Islamic Republican Party, dominated by the clergy,controlled all political institutions, including Parliament

• The regime has all the ingredients of an extremeauthoritarian system

• Religion is the ideological glue that holds the state andits institutions together

• Theocratic rule is illiberal in two senses– First, it violates the distinction between private and

public realms– Second, it invests political authority

33

The Myths of Authoritarianism

• Dictatorial Rule is a Modern Phenomenon

• All authoritarian regimes are equally oppressive

• All authoritarian regimes are illegitimate

• All authoritarian regimes are unpopular

• All authoritarian regimes neglect the public

interest

• Authoritarian rule is the worst kind possible

• Dictatorial Rule is a Modern Phenomenon

• All authoritarian regimes are equally oppressive

• All authoritarian regimes are illegitimate

• All authoritarian regimes are unpopular

• All authoritarian regimes neglect the public

interest

• Authoritarian rule is the worst kind possible34

session overview - wordpress.com · session overview • in the previous ... • andrew heywood...

Documents