Eintrag in der Universitätsbibliographie der TU Chemnitz
Eichhorn, Kristin*
Linhart, Eric (Prof. Dr.) ; Oppermann, Kai (Prof. Dr.) ; Stolz, Klaus (Prof. Dr.) (Gutachter)
Nominally-Democratic Elections in Electoral Autocracies : Competitiveness, Political Freedom and Effects on Policy
Kurzfassung in englisch
Nominally-democratic elections have become the norm even in autocracies. These elections are not just a democratic facade, but develop functionalities and effects that go beyond the actual election and can have both stabilizing and destabilizing effects. Previous research on elections in autocratic regimes has primarily dealt with the denomination of corresponding regimes and transformation trajectories. In this dissertation project, elections in nondemocratic regimes are considered from three perspectives: competitiveness, civil liberties and policy effects. Two individual studies are carried out for each of the dimensions. Concerning competitiveness, the effects of the electoral competitiveness on voter turnout are examined (Chapter 4). For this purpose, the results of 984 parliamentary elections held between 1975 and 2012 are analyzed. The results highlight that the assumptions of instrumental voting can be transferred to autocracies. However, the operationalization of competitiveness needs to consider systematic differences between regimes and electoral systems. This discussion concerning the challenges of measuring competitiveness is continued in Chapter 5. Based on an analysis of Russian gubernatorial elections between 2012 and 2019, it is shown that competitiveness is controlled by restricting candidates' access to the electoral arena and by strategically using manipulation. Additionally, subnational level variations of competitiveness are highlighted. With regard to political freedom, the focus is put on inclusiveness and accessibility claims in the context of elections. In Chapter 6, parliamentary and presidential elections in the period from 1970 to 2020 are analyzed. Autocrats formally grant universal suffrage. Informal restrictions arise particularly in the context of close elections. Furthermore, there is evidence for strategic balancing of different forms of management of the electoral arena (manipulation, deprivation of voting rights). Chapter 7 focusses on the provision of internet elections in autocracies. Based on claims of higher accessibility, regimes try to strengthen legitimacy believes. However, a forensic analysis of Russian election data finds increased irregularities in online precincts. Thus, the introduction of online elections does not imply an extension of political freedoms through easier access, but is rather a further possibility to control the outcome of the election.Policy effects are analyzed with regard to the environment and access to the internet. Chapter 8 examines the performance patterns of autocratic regimes in the field of environmental protection. Autocratic regimes are differentiated based on their degree of competitiveness. The results show that there is no universal democratic advantage in protecting the environment. Although regimes with systematically low levels of competitiveness (i.e. royal dictatorships) show very low environmental performance in most cases, there is no linear relationship between competitiveness and environmental performance. Chapter 9 is dedicated to the digital dilemma of the autocrats. Access to the internet provides an information advantage for the regime and has become an economic necessity. At the same time, the usage of digital media and communication tools can call autocratic rule into question and challenge regime survival. The strategic decisions regarding election-related internet shutdowns are systematized and analyzed. The results show that the internet is switched off in particular when the outcome of the election is unclear and the political survival of the autocrat is challenged.
The concluding Chapters of this dissertation bring together the results of these individual studies and discuss the relationship between competitiveness, political freedom and the effects on policy. Furthermore, these criteria are linked to the pillars of autocratic stability.
| Universität: | Technische Universität Chemnitz | |
| Institut: | Professur Politische Systeme | |
| Fakultät: | Philosophische Fakultät | |
| Dokumentart: | Dissertation | |
| Betreuer: | Linhart, Eric (Prof. Dr.) | |
| Quelle: | 2023. - 231 S. | |
| Freie Schlagwörter (Deutsch): | Wahl , Freiheitsrecht | |
| Freie Schlagwörter (Englisch): | Elections , Autocracy , Legitimation , Voting , Repression | |
| Sprache: | englisch | |
| Tag der mündlichen Prüfung | 26.04.2023 |
