key term - Authoritarian Backsliding

Definition

Authoritarian backsliding refers to the gradual erosion of democratic norms, institutions, and practices in a country, leading to a shift towards more authoritarian forms of governance. This process involves the gradual undermining of checks and balances, the consolidation of power by the executive branch, and the weakening of civil liberties and political rights.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Authoritarian backsliding can occur in both established democracies and transitional democracies, where the process of democratic consolidation is still underway.
2. The gradual erosion of democratic norms and institutions can be facilitated by the manipulation of electoral processes, the suppression of political opposition, and the undermining of the independence of the judiciary and the media.
3. Authoritarian backsliding is often accompanied by the concentration of power in the executive branch, the weakening of checks and balances, and the erosion of civil liberties and political rights.
4. The process of authoritarian backsliding can be subtle and incremental, making it difficult to detect and respond to in a timely manner.
5. Authoritarian backsliding can have significant consequences for a country's political, economic, and social development, as well as its international standing and relationships.

Review Questions

• Explain how authoritarian backsliding relates to the concept of power in contemporary government regimes.
  • Authoritarian backsliding involves the gradual consolidation of power by the executive branch, often at the expense of other branches of government and democratic institutions. This process reflects the dynamic nature of power within contemporary government regimes, where the balance of power can shift over time, leading to the erosion of checks and balances and the concentration of power in the hands of a few. The erosion of democratic norms and the weakening of civil liberties and political rights are key indicators of this shift in the balance of power, which can have far-reaching consequences for the legitimacy and authority of the government.
• Analyze how the concept of legitimacy is impacted by authoritarian backsliding in contemporary government regimes.
  • Authoritarian backsliding can undermine the legitimacy of a government by eroding the democratic foundations upon which its authority is based. As democratic institutions and processes are weakened, the government's claim to legitimate rule based on the consent of the governed may become increasingly tenuous. The suppression of political opposition, the manipulation of electoral processes, and the undermining of the independence of key institutions like the judiciary and the media can all contribute to a crisis of legitimacy, where the government's actions are perceived as increasingly arbitrary and disconnected from the will of the people. This can lead to a breakdown in the social contract between the government and the governed, further undermining the government's legitimacy and authority.
• Evaluate the potential consequences of authoritarian backsliding for the authority of contemporary government regimes.
  • The gradual erosion of democratic norms and institutions through authoritarian backsliding can have severe consequences for the authority of contemporary government regimes. As the government consolidates power and undermines checks and balances, its actions may be perceived as increasingly arbitrary and disconnected from the will of the people. This can lead to a crisis of legitimacy, where the government's claim to authority is called into question. Additionally, the suppression of civil liberties and political rights can erode the social contract between the government and the governed, further undermining the government's authority. In extreme cases, authoritarian backsliding can lead to widespread social unrest, political instability, and even the collapse of the government's authority. Addressing authoritarian backsliding is therefore crucial for preserving the authority and stability of contemporary government regimes.

Related terms

Democratic Erosion:

The gradual weakening or deterioration of democratic institutions, processes, and values within a political system.

Executive Aggrandizement: The process by which the executive branch of government accumulates power at the expense of other branches, often through the weakening of checks and balances.

Illiberal Democracy:

A political system that maintains the formal trappings of democracy, such as elections, but lacks the substantive protections of civil liberties and political rights.