Gravity centres of authoritarian rule: a conceptual approach. Issue 5 (28th July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kneuer, Marianne; Demmelhuber, Thomas
• Is Part Of: Democratization. Volume 23:Issue 5(2016)
• Page Start: 775
• Page End: 796
• Publication Date: 2016-07-28
• Subjects: gravity centres -- autocracies -- foreign policy -- promotion of autocracy -- diffusion; Democracy -- Periodicals; Economic history -- 1990- -- Periodicals; Democratization -- Periodicals; 321.8
• DOI: 10.1080/13510347.2015.1018898
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1351-0347

Abstract

Abstract : The resilience of autocratic regimes in various world regions and the emerging model of illiberal capitalist autocracies (China, Russia) have led scholars to shift their attention to the durability of such regimes. Autocracies not only resist the global spread of democracy, but are developing their own domestic efforts in the promotion of autocracy. This study argues that processes at the regional level aim at the dissemination and diffusion of autocratic norms, structures, processes, policy approaches or practices. Likewise, we propose that authoritarian gravity centres can be attributed with both the active promotion of autocracy as well as the inducement of diffusion effects. Our research tries to shed some light on their strategies and modes of influence on countries in their geopolitical proximity (target states).