Soft Authoritarianism, a concept that appears contradictory, aims to capture the current fuzziness of democracies sliding into authoritarian rule the world over. Formal elections bolster the power of strongmen, majoritarian democracies undermine the rights of minorities, the rule of law is hollowed out using the constitution, and discourses of freedom of expression are deployed to dismantle fundamental human rights.
Our Research Group studies in comparative perspective the fluid and flexible political, juridical, social and discursive configurations which blur the line between democratic and authoritarian practices of rule. It examines how soft authoritarianisms of various varieties are established and contested in different contexts. How are these new forms of rule legitimized discursively, implemented institutionally? How are responsibilities and accountability watered down, power centralized and its transfer impeded? What forms of mobilization and action by citizens attempt to stem the slow and systematic erosion of liberal democratic institutions? In what ways has the Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated authoritarian tendencies and are they here to stay?
Our three contrastive case studies linking ethnography with discourse analysis and documentary research focus on Poland, France and Turkey/the Turkish-European diaspora.
Brazil between the first and second rounds of general elections
On October 2, Brazilians went to the ballots to vote for president, state governors, senators, as well as federal and state representatives. In the presidential race, the center-left-wing former president…
The Future Meloni Government and the Long Drift of Italian Democracy
“Rome wasn’t build in a day” – and neither is a radical right-wing government like the one now forming in Italy following the elections held in September 2022. The result…
Zwischen Apathie und Hoffnung
Zum „sanften“ Autoritarismus in der Türkei. Die strategische und flexible Verflechtung von demokratischen und nicht-demokratischen Praktiken ist ein Charakterzug ‚sanfter‘ Formen autoritärer Regierung. Ein Verständnis von der Produktion von Affekten wie…
The Weaponization of Republican Values in France
There is an ongoing battle for cultural hegemony in France. Far-right ideologies are being normalized, their stigmatizing vocabulary thus not only gains public acceptance but also comes to shape the…
Introducing Podcast Series: Democracy in Question
S07E06: Janka Oertel on “The End of the China Illusion” (Part 2)
This episode explores China’s thinly veiled projects of expanding global influence. Does Chinese control of critical infrastructure and economic supply chains threaten Europe’s autonomy? And how can democracies counter the…
S07E05: Nobel Prize Winner Joseph Stiglitz on a More Equitable Future
This episode, recorded live at the 2023 Alpbach Forum in Tirol, Austria, explores why economic inequalities have increased over recent years and how such stratification is detrimental to democracy. What…
S07E04: Janka Oertel on “The End of the China Illusion” (Part 1)
This episode explores illusions about China’s ambitions related to expanding military and economic power. How have such illusions been perpetuated by Germans and Europeans in order to maintain profit for…
S07E03: Alejandra Ballon Gutierrez on Body Politics in Peru
This episode explores former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori’s population control programs and how eugenic principles have led to the forceful sterilization of women belonging to various indigenous communities. What role…