https://at-ceu.studyguide.timeedit.net/modules/POLS5190?type=COREThis course aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of autocratic regimes - something that more than one half of the world's population is forced to content with. We begin by exploring the fundamental differences between authoritarian regimes and democracies, as well as the variations among authoritarian regimes. This includes examining the different measures of regimes and the emerging trends in autocratization (Section I).Next, we delve into two central challenges of authoritarian governance. The first is the issue of authoritarian power-sharing (Section II). Here, we will discuss how power-sharing deals between rulers and challengers are negotiated and maintained, including the mechanisms for enforcement. Key questions to explore include how do leaders commit to power-sharing agreements; what risks do these agreements pose to those in power; under what conditions is power-sharing likely to occur; and why authoritarian regimes adopt institutions conventionally associated with democracy.The second challenge we address is the problem of authoritarian control (Section III). We will investigate how rulers ensure citizen compliance with state objectives and the tactics used to minimize resistance. Althoughauthoritarian rulers employ various methods of political control, our focus will be on repression, the use of information and propaganda, the introduction of welfare programs as tools for co-opting and coercing compliance.Finally, we will examine public support for autocratic governments (Section IV). We will discuss the ethical dilemmas of electoral participation in authoritarian contexts and analyze whether the ethics of political participation are fundamentally different in nondemocratic regimes. The course will also address public tolerance for corruption, analyzing how various factors influence voters' thresholds for illicit political strategies. Finally, we will explore how the legacy of past regimes shapes current and future social and political attitudes, providing insights into the persistence of certain ideologies in post-regime societies.This course qualifies as a political economy course because it systematically explores a broad range of topics within the field, emphasizing how various methods have been employed to address key questions. Assuming no background knowledge in either statistical reasoning or quantitative/qualitative methods, the course focuses on the practical application of fundamental theories and concepts through diverse methodological approaches. Students will engage with scholarly literature to understand how different methodologies-ranging from quantitative analysis to case studies-have been utilized to investigate issues related to authoritarian regimes.