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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. Poslední úprava: Jordanová Anna, Mgr. (23.01.2024)
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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. Among the transferable skills, students will gain capacity for logical inference, analytical thinking and generalization corresponding with the master’s level. In the learning process, students are expected to sharpen their skills in conducting the discussion, delivering a presentation and drafting a piece in argumentative writing. Students should behave cooperatively and be mutually supportive to achieve these skills (especially the former two). Poslední úprava: Jordanová Anna, Mgr. (23.01.2024)
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40% Presentation during the seminar: Application of the key theoretical concept to an empirical material. Each student is expected to share a summary of key points of his/her presentation at least 48 hours in advance. 40% In-class activity: Students are expected to a) provide feedback to their peers during the seminar b) provide a written summary (2-3 paragraphs) of the assigned literature before each of the seven lectures. 20% Final report: A short piece summarizing the student’s remarks on the literature, in-class debates and feedback to his/her presentation. Poslední úprava: Lochmanová Sára, Bc. (31.01.2024)
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Via syllabus. Poslední úprava: Lochmanová Sára, Bc. (31.01.2024)
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The course is a combination of lectures and seminars based on essential readings and in-class debate. The first half of the semester consists of lectures introducing key theoretical concepts related to internal dynamics of autocratic regimes, especially survival options of their elites, agenda of specific intra-regime groups and perspectives for long-term stability. In the second half of the semester, the students will apply these theoretical concepts to practical empirical issues and present their analysis to their classmates for discussion. The course does not focus on the normative aspect of democracy or autocracy promotion. Due to the scheduled stay abroad, the lectures will be delivered online (via Zoom). No need to come to the classroom at that time; it won't be opened anyway. Zoom link (the same for all online meetings): https://cuni-cz.zoom.us/j/96723941637 The seminars will take place exclusively in-person at Jinonice Campus and students’ presence is mandatory with one absence allowed. The sufficient command of English is necessary. Poslední úprava: Jordanová Anna, Mgr. (20.02.2024)
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1. 19/2 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 always been? 2. 26/2 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: Typology: what autocracies and what 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. PAGE 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. 4/3 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. 11/3 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. 18/3 How long do autocracies last and how do they collapse? Some autocracies collapse or transform shortly after their emergence, other 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. 25/3 Follow the money: From resource curse to kleptocracy How comes states with abundant natural resources appear often have the most severe corruption challenges and inequality of wealth distribution? Why some of them (like Norway) do not? What is the relationship between rent-based economies and autocratic governance? And what role does the western financial institutions play in sustaining and supporting kleptocratic rulers across the world? Key topics: economics of autocracy. Good and bad governance, kleptocracy, rents. Anceschi, Luca and Schwab, Julia. Facing the Soviet Legacy: Political Economy and Development Patterns in Central Asia. In: Jeroen Van den Bosch, Adrien Fauve, Bruno De Cordier (eds.) The European Handbook of Central Asian Studies History, Politics, and Societies. EISCAS, ibidem-Verlag, Stuttgart 2021. (a quick overview, no need to write summary of this) · Recommended if interested: Bullough, Oliver. Moneyland. 2018.
7. 1/4 Autocracy and repression: domestic and transnational alternative Repression is frequently linked with non-democratic regimes. However, repression occurs in an entire variety of areas, with different intensity and frequency. Why some regimes react violently to even the the most negligible protest, but others seem as not even caring? And how do autocracies behave outside their borders? How does it corresponds with the regime dynamics? (at the beginning even autocrats could be more “tolerant” towards the protests, while the regime could tightened its attitude towards the “alternatives” as it lasts long. Key topics: repression, co-optation; regime resilience, domestic and transnational At least two: Optional: Seminars: [might be updated following the public holidays in Czech republic in 2024] practical application of the discussed theory on empirical examples from non-democratic contexts in late 20th and 21st centuries. Students are welcomed to bring cases outside of the Central Asian region. Each student should inform the lecturer about the chosen tittle of the presentation at least 5 working days in advance! 8. 8/4 Seminar: Transfer of power and subsequent regime consolidation. 9. 15/4 Seminar: Autocratic solidarity and cooperation 10. 22/4 Seminar: How long do autocracies last and how do they collapse? 11. 29/4 Seminar: Follow the money: From resource curse to kleptocracy 12. 6/5 Seminar: Autocracy and repression: domestic and transnational alternative 13. 13/5 WRAP-UP LECTURE
Poslední úprava: Jordanová Anna, Mgr. (03.04.2024)
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