Document details

Undermining Democracy: 21st Century Authoritarians

Washington, DC: Freedom House;Radio Free Europe-Radio Liberty;Radio Free Asia (2009), 79 pp.
"Democracy Redefined: Leading authoritarian regimes are working to reshape the public understanding of democracy. A redefined and heavily distorted version of the concept is communicated to domestic audiences through state-dominated media. Especially on television, these regimes put forth a dual message that stresses their own achievements while belittling the core institutions of genuine democracy, which is often kept at arm’s length with the appellation “Western.” [...] Internet Under Threat: The leading authoritarians—particularly in China, Iran, and Russia—are using advanced and well-funded techniques to subvert legitimate online discourse. In addition to controlling access through physical, economic, and technological means, these regimes have enlisted loyal commentators and provocateurs like the “Fifty Cent Party” in China and the “Brigades” in Russia to overwhelm or disrupt undesirable discussions [...] Authoritarian Foreign Aid: These regimes are using soft-power methods to advance their interests internationally, particularly through billions of dollars in no-stringsattached development aid. Chinese leaders enunciate a doctrine of win-win foreign relationships, encouraging Latin American, African, Asian, and Arab states to form mutually benefi cial arrangements with China based on the principle of noninterference. As part of this strategy, the win-win philosophy is implicitly contrasted with that of the West, which Beijing portrays as pushing a self-serving and alien “democracy agenda” onto developing nations." (Main findings, page 3-4)
Undermining Democracy: Strategies and Methods of 21st Century Authoritarians, 1
China: Resilient, Sophisticated Authoritarianism / Joshua Kurlantzick, Perry Link, 13
Iran: Clerical Authoritarianism / Abbas Milani, 29
Pakistan: Semi-Authoritarian, Semi-Failed State / Rashed Rahman, 39
Russia: Selective Capitalism and Kleptocracy / Daniel Kimmage, 49
Venezuela: Petro-Politics and the Promotion of Disorder / Javier Corrales, 65