U-Turns: Episodes of Democratic Turnarounds since 1900

• In Event: The Roots of Resilience: Democratic Durability, Renovation and Redemocratization

Abstract

The world is currently undergoing a ‘wave of autocratization’ with populous countries such as Turkey, India, and Hungary regressing in levels of democracy. Yet, cases such as Brazil, Zambia, and South Korea show that autocratization is not an end in itself but can be halted and, most importantly, reversed. In this paper, we propose a new regime transformation episode type: “democratic reversal” episodes in which autocratization is closely followed by democratization, and the two are closely linked in one process. We provide a theoretical framework conceptualizing democratic reversals as a distinct case of regime transformation that can complement existing findings on autocratization, resistance to autocratization, and regime cycles. In addition, we operationalize these episodes of regime transformation and identify them empirically, presenting the first empirical overview of patterns and developments of democratic reversals across time and regions. The findings of this paper will open new research agendas on regime transformation and the connections between autocratization and democratization previously seen as distinct processes.

Authors

• Staffan I. Lindberg, V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg

• Fabio Angiolillo, Gothenburg University

• Marina Nord, University of Gothenburg

• Felix Wiebrecht, University of Gothenburg

• Martin Karl Lundstedt, Gothenburg University