Authoritarianism

Authoritarianism not only endures but is thriving in the twenty-first century. As dictatorships continue to shape politics across much of the globe, it has become clear that we need to better understand what engenders and sustains them. Authoritarianism: A Very Short Introduction is the place to start. For anyone teaching or learning about the causes, durability, and legacies of authoritarian rule, Loxton’s insightful and masterfully-written book should be the first off the shelf. * Steven Levitsky, David Rockefeller Professor of Latin American Studies and Professor of Government, Harvard University *A sharp, accessible introduction to a critical political phenomenon. This indispensable and incisive book shows how to recognize authoritarian regimes, how they are born, how they survive, how they die—and how their legacies live on. * Anna Grzymala-Busse, Michelle and Kevin Douglas Professor of International Studies, Stanford University *Given that the majority of human beings live in nondemocratic regimes, any understanding of contemporary politics must begin with authoritarianism. This perceptive, engaging book helps readers understand why both political elites and ordinary citizens routinely resort to autocratic solutions. Loxton brings authoritarian regimes to life in vivid detail. * Timothy J. Power, Head of Social Sciences Division, Oxford University *Authoritarianism in the 21st century is indeed alive and well, and this introduction lucidly explains what it is, how it functions, and why it endures. Loxton’s cogent analysis also illuminates the implications of authoritarian rule for democratic constitutions and political parties, demonstrating the ways in which authoritarianism’s influence endures in institutional and behavioral forms. * Rachel Beatty Riedl, Director of the Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies, Cornell University *

James Loxton is a Senior Lecturer in Comparative Politics at the University of Sydney. He is the award-winning author of Conservative Party-Building in Latin America: Authoritarian Inheritance and Counterrevolutionary Struggle (2021) and co-editor of Life after Dictatorship: Authoritarian Successor Parties Worldwide (2018). He holds a PhD in Government from Harvard University.