Book contents
- The Two Logics of Autocratic Rule
- The Two Logics of Autocratic Rule
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Acknowledgments
- Abbreviations
- Part I Introduction
- Part II Theory
- 1 Explaining Autocratic Stability
- 2 Legitimation
- 3 Repression
- 4 Co-optation
- 5 The Two Logics of Autocratic Rule
- Part III Empirical Test
- Part IV Conclusion
- Appendices
- References
- Index
4 - Co-optation
from Part II - Theory
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 06 April 2023
- The Two Logics of Autocratic Rule
- The Two Logics of Autocratic Rule
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Acknowledgments
- Abbreviations
- Part I Introduction
- Part II Theory
- 1 Explaining Autocratic Stability
- 2 Legitimation
- 3 Repression
- 4 Co-optation
- 5 The Two Logics of Autocratic Rule
- Part III Empirical Test
- Part IV Conclusion
- Appendices
- References
- Index
Summary
This chapter is concerned about the role of elites in autocratic regimes. It focuses mainly on business and military elites and asks how autocracies can bind these actors to their inner sanctum. It reviews previous decades of research, highlighting the recent institutionalist turn in comparative authoritarianism, but also traces back debates about neo-patrimonialism, clientelism, patronage, and corruption. The chapter introduces the conceptual distinction between co-optation in formalized arenas like political parties and parliaments as well as in the shadowland of informality. It argues that intra-elite cohesion can be secured via reactive and preventive measures as well as by absorbing new members (widening) or by interweaving interests and instilling a feeling of reciprocity (deepening) among the elite members. The chapter ends by explicating concrete operationalization advice for empirical research.
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- Information
- The Two Logics of Autocratic Rule , pp. 91 - 110Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2023