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The truth about authoritarianism: What are the characteristics that make it so durable?
In today's political environment, the existence and expansion of authoritarianism have attracted global attention. Characteristics of such political systems include a rejection of political pluralism, strong central powers to preserve the status quo, and curtailments of democracy, separation of powers, civil liberties, and the rule of law. Political scientists have established many gradations for these systems and have conducted research on various types of authoritarian regimes to better understand the reasons for their persistence.
"Authoritarianism is characterized by a high degree of concentration and centralization of government power. The consolidation of this power is usually accompanied by political repression and the exclusion of potential challengers."
Authoritarianism can be autocracy or oligarchy, and these regimes can be based on rule by political parties or the military. Some countries blur the boundaries between democracy and authoritarianism and are sometimes called "hybrid democracies," "hybrid regimes," or "competitive authoritarian states." According to the definition of the well-known political scientist Juan Linz, authoritarianism has the following four qualities: restriction of political pluralism, emotion-based regime legitimacy, minimal political mobilization and suppression of opposition activities, and lack of executive power. Ambiguity.
Many authoritarian regimes tend to enact a series of constitutions that serve not only to formalize their regime structures but also to feign a commitment to democracy. Sometimes described as “operations manuals” or “propaganda tools,” these constitutions are crucial to consolidating authoritarian regimes and demonstrating to the outside world the legitimacy of their operations. However, there are few substantive restrictions on administrative authority in these documents, which makes it possible for rulers to expand their powers.
"The constitution of an authoritarian regime may help legitimize, strengthen, and consolidate the regime."
The economic foundations of authoritarianism also continue to evolve. Some scholars believe that although economic development will reduce the possibility of democratization, it may not necessarily promote the formation of democratic regimes. In some cases, short-term economic prosperity may make the public more supportive of authoritarian regimes. Therefore, in many countries governed by authoritarianism, economic factors play a key role.
Interaction with other elites and the masses is another basis for authoritarian rule. Rulers must maintain cooperation with other elites and enjoy inherent support from the public. This requires careful allocation of resources to ensure that the interests of these groups do not destabilize the foundations of the regime through chronic discontent.
"The persistence of authoritarianism relies on its control and manipulation of information, and it gradually abandons its reliance on violence."
In terms of information manipulation, authoritarian regimes use customary propaganda mechanisms to shape public opinion and hide the truth of suppression. These regimes often use the media to project an image of good governance and conceal their misdeeds. This seems to be the current trend of authoritarianism, and many scholars have put forward different views on this. Even in their daily governance, those in power are often concerned with how to enhance their status in the hearts of the public, thereby ensuring the long-term nature of their rule.
However, the fragility of authoritarianism cannot be ignored. Many scholars believe that such systems are inherently unsustainable because their legitimacy relies on high levels of oppression and the suppression of opinion. When mistakes occur or public dissatisfaction increases, the stability of this system is threatened, leading to revolution or regime change.
"The stability of an authoritarian regime sometimes depends on its ability to respond to popular needs."
It is worth noting that the persistence of the Chinese Communist Party provides a unique perspective for the study of authoritarianism. Many scholars have discussed China's political structure and governance mechanism and believe that the particularity of its system not only protects the political power, but also attracts the recognition of some members of the public. This situation prompts further reflection on the duration of authoritarian systems.
In summary, the characteristics of authoritarian regimes, whether their economic foundation, regime structure or information manipulation, all exhibit extremely complex interaction and manipulation mechanisms. Faced with these deep-seated causes and influences, we cannot help but ask: With the improvement of strategies and means, will authoritarianism find new life and support on a global scale?
