|
|
|
||
|
"From the lectures and reading, I feel that I have all the necessary information to become an autocrat." (student reference, spring 2024)
The course provides students a solid understanding of the key theoretical concepts related to the contemporary autocratic regimes. In accordance with the current academic debate, participants will be able to effectively apply these concepts on practical empirical cases from non-democratic contexts. Most of the empirical material provided by the lecturer will be related to Central Asia, however, students are welcome to bring and present their own data from other regions of their interest. The course is especially relevant to students considering writing their final thesis on autocratic affairs in the contemporary politics. The course is open only for students of master's degree programmes. Kurz poskytuje studentům pevné základy klíčových teoretických konceptů souvisejících s moderními autokratickými režimy. V souladu se současnou akademickou debatou budou účastníci schopni tyto koncepty efektivně aplikovat na praktické empirické případy z nedemokratických kontextů. Většina empirického materiálu poskytnutého lektorem bude zaměřena na Střední Asii, nicméně studenti jsou vítáni, aby přinesli a prezentovali vlastní data z jiných regionů svého zájmu. Kurz je zvláště vhodný pro studenty, kteří uvažují o psaní závěrečné práce o autokratických záležitostech v současné politice. Kurz je určen pouze pro studenty magisterských programů. Last update: Hrubá Kateřina, Mgr. (28.01.2026)
|
|
||
|
How do autocratic regimes emerge, consolidate and perish? How does repression work and what is its purpose? Do autocrats help each other? Why are some autocracies more successful than others? What is the role of various power groups and cliques within the regimes? What happens, when an autocrat is ousted from power? The students will gain a more profound understanding of the essential features of autocratic regimes in the contemporary political environment, especially those related to their internal dynamics, role the key internal actors and groups (including the usefulness of various typologies), context-based strategies of elites’ survival and the regimes’ standing in the globalized world. The emphasis will be put on practical use and applicability of specific examples most relevant in the contemporary political science and IR, rather than on all-encompassing and deep political science discussion. Students will be also offered experimental exercises in order to practice their understanding of the topic. The course might especially relevant for those considering writing their final BA or MA theses on autocratic regimes and their internal dynamics, but also for anyone curious about how modern autocracies "work". Last update: Lochmanová Sára, Mgr. (15.09.2025)
|
|
||
|
40% Presentation during the seminar: Application of a key theoretical concept to empirical material. Each student is expected to share a summary of the key points of his/her presentation at least 48 hours in advance. 40% In-class activity and preparation: Students are expected to a) provide feedback to their peers during the seminar and actively participate in class discussions; b) provide a written summary (2–3 paragraphs in total) of the assigned literature before each session with assigned readings by midday/12:00 on MONDAY. 20% Final report: A short piece summarizing the student’s remarks on the literature, in-class debates and feedback to his/her presentation. Significant failure of any component will result in failure of the entire classification. Registration for presentations: here Last update: Špriňarová Eva, Mgr. (23.09.2026)
|
|
||
|
Ref. the syllabus. Last update: Lochmanová Sára, Mgr. (15.09.2025)
|
|
||
|
Attention: Anna Jordanova will not be teaching this course in Fall semester 2026. The course is a combination of lectures and seminars based on essential readings and in-class debate. The first part of the semester consists primarily of lectures introducing key theoretical concepts related to the internal dynamics of autocratic regimes, especially survival options of their elites, the agendas of specific intra-regime groups and prospects for long-term stability. Individual sessions will also include discussion of readings and the application of theoretical concepts to empirical cases. In the second part of the semester, greater emphasis will be placed on the practical application of these theoretical concepts to empirical issues. Students will present their analyses to their classmates for discussion. The course does not focus on the normative aspect of democracy or autocracy promotion. Sufficient command of English is necessary. All readings are available through the UK FSV library or online databases. Use of generative AI tools: The use and citation of generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT or MS Copilot) in seminar papers and other coursework must comply with the decrees of the IMS Director No. 7/2023 and 9/2023. Generative AI tools may be used unless explicitly prohibited by the instructor. However, they may not be used to generate substantial sections of the text or replace the student’s own intellectual contribution. The student remains fully responsible for any content generated with assistance of AI tools. Presenting AI-generated content, whether verbatim, rephrased, or only slightly modified, as one's own work constitutes plagiarism. Every submitted paper must include a transparent statement specifying which generative AI tools were used, in which stage of the work they were employed, and how they were used, or confirming that no generative AI tools were used. If this statement is missing or incomplete, the instructor is not permitted to accept the paper for evaluation. Unless the instructor explicitly prohibits the use of generative AI tools, the decision to use or not to use them rests fully with the student. The student has the right to request that the instructor does not use AI assistance for evaluating their work.
Last update: Špriňarová Eva, Mgr. (23.09.2026)
|
|
||
|
Students interested in specific theories or methods not listed in the syllabus are encouraged to suggest them to the teacher BEFORE THE FIRST INTRODUCTORY LECTURE. If possible, they will be added to the semester content. !!! 1. 29/9 INTRODUCTORY LECTURE. Outline of the course and research interests of the students. Calibration to previous knowledge of the students. Is autocracy becoming a “new normal”, or has it always been one? 2. 6/10 Defining and typologizing autocracies. People within. The central goal of all autocratic regimes remains the same: to monopolize political power and to preserve it. And people in power want to stay there, usually at all costs. Yet – how do autocracies work from within and who are the key groups ruling them? Key topics: Typologies of autocratic regimes and autocratic leaders, Winning Coalition, Selectorate and the others. Patronalism and neo-patrimonialism in particular. System vs. Regime. - de Mesquita, Bruce Bueno, et al. (2004) The Logic of Political Survival. Chapter 2. The MIT Press. Isaacs, Rico and Frigerio, Alessandro. Theorizing Central Asian Politics: The State, Ideology and Power. Palgrave, 2019. Chapter 8. Example of good application: Lee, Hanhee. Analyzing the political survival prospects of Kim Jong-un’s North Korean regime through the framework of selectorate theory. Japanese Journal of Political Science (2018), 19, 474–488. 3. 13/10 Transfer of power and subsequent regime consolidation. As long as autocracies are ruled by mortal people, occasional changes at positions of power are necessary. While in democracies the mechanism and timing are guaranteed and enforced by constitution and courts, in autocracies there are much more diverse ways, stretching from installing a hand-picked successor over collective decision-making to an all-in scramble for power. The winner takes (almost) all; what happens to the losers? Key topics: transition of office vs. transition of power. Dilemma of hereditary grooming. De-personalization. - Acemoglu, A. & Robinson, J. A. (2001) A theory of political transitions. The American Economic Review, 91(4), 938-963. At least one of the following:
4. 20/10 Autocratic solidarity and cooperation Autocratic rulers by definition do not like independent institutional restraints and do not willingly share their power with other actors. However, usually they have to cooperate or at least coexist in order to keep their economies afloat and their regimes safe. And, if they see fitting, they can even work closely together. What are the main incentives and what are the main obstacles? Key topics: International institutions and informal clubs. Inter-dependence and cooperation. Literature: Optional: 5. 27/10 How long do autocracies last and how do they collapse? Some autocracies collapse or transform shortly after their emergence, others manage to outlast generations. The same goes for people: some leaders stay in office for decades, even if their performance is poor, while some fall sooner than even expected. What factors lead to longevity of non-democratic regimes? Key topics: longevity, durability, resilience. Challenges from within and from the outside. Literature: Geddes, B., Wright, J., & Frantz, E. (2014). Autocratic breakdown and regime transitions: A new data set. Perspectives on politics, 12(2), 313-331. Optional: 6. 3/11: Autocracy and repression: domestic and transnational Repression is frequently linked with non-democratic regimes. However, repression occurs across a variety of areas and differs considerably in its intensity and frequency. Why do some regimes react violently even to seemingly negligible protests, while others appear relatively tolerant? And how do autocracies behave outside their borders? How do these patterns correspond with broader regime dynamics? Autocrats may, for example, initially tolerate certain forms of protest or political alternatives, while becoming increasingly restrictive as the regime consolidates and survives over time. Key topics: repression, co-optation; regime resilience, domestic and transnational At least two: Optional: 7. 10/11 State, ideology and autocracy NO LECTURE ON 17 NOVEMBER Seminars and practical application (presentations): 24/11, 1/12, 8/12, 15/12 Practical application of the discussed theories to empirical examples from non-democratic contexts in the late 20th and 21st centuries. 5/1 Conclusion / additional topic if time permits Last update: Špriňarová Eva, Mgr. (23.09.2026)
|