POLSC221: Introduction to Comparative Politics

2.3: Non-Democratic State Forms

• 2.3.1: Totalitarian States

  • Boundless Sociology: "Chapter 15, Section 1: Types of States: Dictatorship and Totalitarianism" URL

    Read the short section on Dictatorship and Totalitarianism. Consider what makes a dictatorship different from a totalitarian government.
    

• 2.3.2: Authoritarian States

  • Wikipedia: "Authoritarianism" URL

    Read this article. What are the key characteristics of authoritarian regimes? How is totalitarianism distinguishable from authoritarianism? Do any of the authoritarian countries listed surprise you? Why or why not?

• 2.3.3: Sources and Trends of Authoritarianism

  • Hanyang University: Sean Cannady and Paul Kubicek's "Nationalism and Legitimation For Authoritarianism: A Comparison of Nicholas I and Vladimir Putin" URL

    Read this article, which examines the methods utilized by political leaders to create and cultivate authoritarian regimes. What are the similarities and differences between Nicholas' and Putin's efforts to legitimize the primacy of the state over the individual?