Theories of Transition
Different theories assessing transition have been put forward by scholars in the field explaining the outcome of transitions. Two major sets of theories have developed over time; the bottom- up and the top-down approaches. Bunce (2003) argue that mass mobilization has a determining role in the regime outcome amongst the post-Communist states. Georgia and Ukraine illustrates cases where popular mobilization has had an impact on the regime structure. We can see that civil society and mass mobilization is a pivotal factor in determining how stable an authoritarian regime is, as we can see in the events in Ukraine, Georgia and Kyrgyzstan. Way (2008) argue that the top-down structural factor of the regime is a deciding factor in whether an authoritarian regime remains in power or not. Way means that the strength of the coercion/security apparatus of the state is a vital factor since it can repress the mass mobilization that might threaten the regime resilience. According to Bunce and Wolchik (2006) the wave of Color Revolutions that spread over the post-Communist region diffused through states and mass mobilization was occurring in a number of states. They argue that this phenomena failed to diffuse to certain states due to the absence/ very small number of domestic actors supporting the cause and the swift authoritarian reactions from the regimes in states like Kazakhstan, where the student stipend were raised to prevent a similar situation in Kazakhstan (Bunce and Wolchik, 2006). They further argue that the relations to other power actors in the international sphere and the economic self-sustainability of state in question. Jones Luong (2002) highlights the impact of negotiation uncertainty and power shift du...
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...reviously mentioned, affect the density of the linkage between the West and the state in question. As the previous section outlined, Kazakhstan has favored Russia in the regards of trade and political alignment. This has its roots in the Soviet legacies and the reluctance towards independence experienced in Kazakhstan after the dissolution of the Union (Gill, 2002). The political course set was therefore cherishing the Soviet legacy and the Russian relationship without much uncertainty. This has resulted in weak ties to the West which means that the linkage remains low and so the influence for democratization. The aspect of linkage depends much on domestic structures that either enables or disabled the linkage to the West; these factors will be discussed more in depth in the section focusing on the domestic dimension.
stable authoritarian rule in Turkmenistan.
The Legacy of Russia and the Soviet Union - Authoritarian and Repressive Traditions that Refuse to Die
During the 20th century, the rise of communism sparked rage in people throughout the world. More towards the end of the 1900's the fall of communism and dictatorships was just the beginning of what would eventually be a large democratic change for several countries. 1989: Democratic Revolutions at the Cold War's End, speaks about the change brought to several different countries from the 1980's-1990's and plans to show "the global transformations that marked the end of the cold war and shaped the era in which we live"(Pg V). During the cold war, communist had power and control over a large area and spread communism throughout several continents. This book specifically hits on six different studies of where communism and dictatorship affected these areas and what they did to stop it. Poland, Philippines, Chile, South Africa, Ukraine, and China throughout the end of the 20th century created revolutionary movements which brought them all one step closer to freeing themselves and creating democratic change.
The Development of Totalitarianism Under Stalin By 1928, Stalin had become the undisputed successor to Lenin, and leader of the CPSU. Stalin’s power of appointment had filled the aisles of the Party Congress and Politburo with Stalinist supporters. Political discussion slowly faded away from the Party, and this led to the development of the totalitarian state of the USSR. Stalin, through.
the downfall of communism, as it were, took so long was the veto power of
...e State of Democracy 20 Years on: Domestic and External Factors’, Eastern European Politics and Societies, 27(1), 2013, 3-25
Many countries have decided against having a totalitarian government system, but there still are countries that continue with running their country with authoritarianism. The Middle East persists on having an authoritarianism style government over having a democracy. Theories that prove to be true to Middle Eastern people of how a totalitarian government is better relate to economics, religion, and international involvement. People living in the Middle East want to avoid having political liberation because that can lead to a consistent and stable democratic government. Another reason keeping them from changing is that since their countries aren’t struggling economically, the citizens don’t see it necessary to elect new leaders. The countries in the Middle East region decide to continue with authoritarianism because the fear and pain is greater than the feeling of freedom.
Rule of Lenin vs the Tsar The beginning of the 20th century saw a great change in the political structure of the Russia. A country once led under an autocracy leadership. was suddenly changed into a communist state overnight. Dictatorship and communism are at separate ends of the political spectrum. This study so clearly shows both involve the oppression of society and a strict regime in which people are unable to voice their opinions.
In 1985 one fifth of the worlds population was living under military controlled governments (Harper's Index Book), and it may around half now since China so brutally squashed its citizens' move toward democracy (Harper's Index Book). The reunificat...
Russian firms and customers admire U.S. technology and know-how, and generally are interested in doing business with U.S. companies. At the same time, there is a tendency in some quarters to suppose that the U.S. is responsible for the changes which have occurred in Russia, especially those which have caused most hardship to individuals and to industry. This sentiment has attracted the support of some political leaders, and in given credence by a significant proportion of the populace. At the same time, a strong U.S. commercial presence is viewed in the Russian Far East as a counterbalance to other regional economic powers.
to assume the role of dictator. This was a phenomenon which was to become a
A characteristic of a person who tends to help facilitate people to achieve a certain task describes leadership. By motivating and directing individuals, a leader tends to have a major affect on a group of individuals. Leaders can be harsh and commanding, but they also can be accepting and encouraging. However, both styles of leadership have a major affect on the group of individuals and the nations they rule either positive or negative. For instance, an authoritarian leadership style is when one person rules an entire nation alone and decides what is good or bad for the country without any input from other executives. Authoritarian rulers tend to be harsh and commanding to the people because they are ruling an entire nation but there is only
Freedom and equality are intertwined with one another. Freedom is defined as the custom of being free, political independence, and the possession of civil rights. When reflecting upon the history of the twentieth century many people all over the world were not afforded the luxury of being born with freedom or born with equal rights. In most cases, those people were often oppressed or subjugated by various forms of systematic state sponsored authoritarianism and terror. In order to receive the freedom necessary to survive and the equality required to live a happy and successful life the oppressed people had to take action. Often times the action took on various forms such as, revolts or nonviolent campaigns. Because the governments reliance on authoritarianism and terror to control their citizens, often times revolts and/or nonviolent campaigns were the consequence. Therefore, any advances towards gaining freedom and equality cannot happen without some form of systematic state-sponsored authoritarianism and terror taking place first. It is no coincidence because the two phenomena are linked.
Since the earliest recorded history, there has always been one elusive title that a State has strived for, the title of Super Power. Power is one of the fundamental characteristics of the international system and the distribution of power among states. It is obvious that states are unequal in power and this “entails a number of important implications for international politics”. As a result of this lack of power, the ‘weak states’ desires and concerns are often neglected and the ‘strong states’ demands usually shape the international agenda. In the Modern Society, some would argue that we have two great powers in Russia and the United States, but if you measure and compare the two countries, The United States is more powerful. Some of these categories are population in which the U.S has more than double Russ...
Authoritarian style governments come in different forms and apply varying amounts of violence when enforcing their rule. People who live in democratic style governments often do not understand why people accept living in an authoritarian state, forgetting that in fact the authoritarian form of government is the oldest form of government on earth. A dictatorship government is one type of authoritarian government that gains world attention most notably by the extreme violence used to control their citizens. This paper will review authoritarianism; why humans put up with it; traits of paranoid, narcissistic, and charismatic personalities; and highlight Idi Amin Dada as a case in point.
...ew political system, take a course on social modernization and human capital development. In recent years, embarked on a systematic industrialization and the introduction of innovative technologies that will enhance the competitiveness of Kazakhstan's economy and its attractiveness to foreign investment. Also, significantly increased the role and responsibility of Kazakhstan in international affairs. Another important thing is in the implementation of strategic priorities given to international partners of Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan fully relies on the support and cooperation for the implementation of these tasks, which will contribute to further development of cooperation between our countries and peoples. I hope that Kazakhstan will strongly commit further progressive development of democracy, with an emphasis on decentralization, anti-corruption, and gender equality.