The Rise of Competitive Authoritarianism

Name: Muhammad Haroon

Reg No# 04202113007

Steven Levitsky serves as an assistant professor of government and social studies at Harvard
University, specializing in research on topics like democratization, authoritarianism, political
parties, and weak and informal institutions, primarily in Latin America. He is a well-known co-
author of several books. Lucan A Way, an associate professor of political science at the
University of Toronto, focuses his research on democratic transitions and the development of
authoritarian rule, particularly in the former Soviet Union and from a cross-regional perspective.

The article is about Competitive authoritarianism which is a type of hybrid regime where formal
democratic institutions exist but are mainly used as a tool for obtaining and exercising political
authority. However, incumbents frequently violate democratic rules to such an extent that the
regime falls short of conventional democratic standards. These regimes, found in various
countries after the end of cold war, maintain elections but manipulate them through biased media
coverage, harassment of opposition, and other tactics. Competitive authoritarian regimes have
four key arenas of competition: electoral, legislative, judicial, and media, which opposition can
exploit to hinder the incumbents.

"The rise of competitive authoritarianism" is a good and thought-provoking article that

effectively identifies and defines the concept of "competitive authoritarianism," its emergence
and most important features providing a valuable framework for understanding hybrid political
systems. It offers a clear and concise definition of competitive authoritarian regimes,
distinguishing them from traditional authoritarian and democratic systems. This conceptual
clarity is one of the article's primary strengths, as it enables readers to grasp the nuances of these
regimes.

This article primarily employs a qualitative research method to analyze and discuss the concept
of "competitive authoritarianism." The authors rely on case studies and comparative analysis to
develop their theory of competitive authoritarianism, which focuses on hybrid political systems
that combine elements of authoritarianism with a façade of competitive elections. The approach
is rooted in political science and comparative politics, aiming to understand and categorize
different types of political regimes.

The article's extensive use of case studies and examples from various countries enhances its
credibility and applicability. Levitsky and Lucan A Way draw from a wide range of empirical
evidence, including cases from Latin America, Africa, and Eurasia. This empirical depth
strengthens the article's arguments and makes it relevant to scholars and policymakers studying
political dynamics in different regions. The authors give Case studies to help us understand the
concept and illustrate their arguments. Case studies are important tools in social science research.
the use of Case studies helps in strengthening the empirical and scientific foundations of the
article. They analyzed the political systems of different nations and compared them with other
liberal democracies to understand the deviation. Their research is based on facts.

The logical organization and structure of the article contribute to its effectiveness. It begins by
presenting the concept and its distinguishing features, followed by historical context to show the
evolution of competitive authoritarianism over time. This organization helps readers grasp the
authors' arguments, making it an accessible resource for scholars and students alike. It enables
students and political analysts to better grasp the concept and speculate about the future.

It was published in 2002, and it primarily reflects the political landscape of the late 1990s and
early 2000s. This means it does not account for the evolution and changes in competitive
authoritarian regimes that have occurred since then. Political dynamics in various countries may
have shifted, and new strategies and tactics may have emerged.

One of the weaknesses is the absence of policy recommendations. Given the potential
implications of competitive authoritarianism on international relations and democracy
promotion, the article misses an opportunity to offer insights into how democracies can respond
to and engage with these regimes effectively. While the article provides historical context, it does
not discuss contemporary events or issues relevant to competitive authoritarianism. This
omission means it lacks insights into how these regimes have adapted to new challenges or how
international dynamics have influenced their behavior in the 21st century.
In conclusion, "The Rise of Competitive Authoritarianism" by Levitsky and Way, published in
2002, explains a type of political system where leaders use elections as a cover while keeping
control in an undemocratic way. It's like a mix of democracy and autocracy. The article is good at
describing this concept but doesn't talk about what to do about it or consider more recent changes
in this kind of governance. So, it's a useful starting point for understanding these systems, but it
has some limitations.