How do soft authoritarian practices hollow out liberal democratic institutions and values? How is „autocratic legalism“ (Kim Lane Scheppele) put in place by various governments? How and why are academic freedom and freedom of press under attack? Can we entrust big tech corporations to guard against hate speech and incitements to violence? Which rhetoric and discourses are employed to undermine democratic processes?
This blog maps and analyses various facets of what we define as “soft authoritarianism” in today’s world. Curated by the Research Group Soft Authoritarianisms, it contributes to the debate on growing authoritarian tendencies around the world.
Offering a cross-disciplinary dialogue, it addresses various forms of challenges to liberal democracy and of active citizen engagement to protect and deepen democratic institutions in the face of the current backlash.
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 Lula da Silva from the Workers Party (PT) received 48%…
“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 of the elections, while surely not unexpected, offers the opportunity…
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 Apathie und Hoffnung in diesem Zusammenhang kann uns helfen, ihre…
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 government’s agenda on minority rights. Two derogatory terms have gained…
Ein 37-jähriger Mann wird auf dem elterlichen Hof von der französischen Polizei erschossen, nachdem er sich nach dem gewährten Freigang nicht ins Gefängnis zurückbegeben hatte. Jens Adam rezensiert Didier Fassins neu erschienenes Buch, im dem die Umstände des Todes nachvollzogen…
Democracy in Question? – Through a Soft Authoritarian Lens In this comment, Jens Adam reflects on episode S2E5 of the podcast series “Democracy in Question?” featuring Till van Rahden. Once in power, soft authoritarian politicians strive to dominate public institutions…
Soft Authoritarianism and the Ambivalences of Europeanisation: What Role Could the EU Play?
Democracy in Question? – Through a soft authoritarian lens In this comment, Jens Adam reflects on the latest episode of the podcast series “Democracy in Question?” featuring Timothy Garton Ash. Jens argues that the role that the EU plays in…
Democracy in Question? – Through a Soft Authoritarian Lens In this comment on the last episode of our podcast series ‘Democracy in Question?’ Jens Adam reflects on Mary Kaldor’s notions of ‘Civil Society’ and ‘Horizontal Democracy’. Drawing on examples from Poland, Belarus and Ukraine,…
