Discussion Topic: Transitioning from Competitive Authoritarianism to Full Democracy

Can competitive authoritarian regimes transition to full democracies, or do they inevitably become more authoritarian?

This question is particularly relevant when examining the recent political developments in various countries. For example, in Serbia, under the leadership of Aleksandar Vučić, the ruling party has increasingly undermined democratic institutions while maintaining the facade of competitive elections. The dominance of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) has stifled genuine political competition, demonstrating how competitive authoritarianism can entrench itself over time.

In India, the rise of Hindu nationalism under the BJP government has shown a drift towards competitive authoritarianism. The government's control over media, suppression of NGOs through legal changes, and erosion of democratic norms illustrate how competitive elements within a democracy can be systematically dismantled, making it challenging for opposition parties to operate effectively.

However, not all competitive authoritarian regimes necessarily become more authoritarian. Some may transition to full democracies, driven by robust civil society movements, international pressure, and internal reforms. For instance, countries in the Western Balkans, such as North Macedonia, have shown that with persistent opposition and international support, there can be moments of democratic resurgence even within competitive authoritarian frameworks.

Exploring these cases can shed light on factors like the conditions under which competitive authoritarian regimes can democratize and the challenges they face in this process. What factors contribute to the resilience or breakdown of such regimes?

REFERENCES

1. Laštro, C., & Bieber, F. (2021). The Performance of Opposition Parties in Competitive Authoritarian Regimes: Three Case Studies from the Western Balkans. European Political Science, 20(4), 617–629. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41304-021-00326-w

2.  Mukherji, R., & Zarhani, S. H. (2023). India’s Democracy: The Competitive Authoritarian Propensity? Rahul Mukherji and Seyed Hossein Zarhani. Pacific Affairs, 96(4), 747–768. https://doi.org/10.5509/2023964747

3. Levitsky, S., & Way, L. (2020). The New Competitive Authoritarianism. Journal of Democracy, 31(1), 51-65. https://journalofdemocracy.org/articles/the-new-competitive-authoritarianism/