Managing the Political Environment in Authoritarian Regimes: Adaptation, Co-optation and the Role of the Opposition

Abstract

In the last decade, comparative politics intensively engaged in the question why authoritarian regimes show a greater longevity than formerly expected. While current research prominently examines the role of institutions in authoritarian regimes, this panel wants to focus on the perspectives of actors. Attention is drawn to the tactics of ruling elites (adaptation and co-optation) as well as to the role of the opposition. Several authoritarian leaders are confronted with demands for constitutional change from inside and outside the regime. In many cases, incumbents try to protract reform processes. But even in cases where a constitutional reform takes place and supposed democratic institutions as parties and/or elections are installed, a substantial change of the authoritarian regime cannot be identified. Instead of implementing democratic rules, authoritarian leaders preserve their power through adaption of these rules. Another mode of sustaining power is co-optation. Authoritarian leaders restrain the influence of other actors within their regime. In contrast to repression, co-optation implies some sort of cooperation. Oppositional actors stop to challenge the authoritarian government in return for political and/or material reward. Analysis of adaptation and co-optation should also take the perspective of opposition groups into account. Opposition includes a wide range of groups and actors - from e.g. political parties and its members, business and military elites to NGOs - who, at first sight, see themselves as opponents of the current regime. Nevertheless, the confrontation of government and opposition may not hold true. Recent literature has given examples in which the opposition also played a stabilising role in the current authoritarian regime. How do adaptation and co-optation work? In what cases is adaptation applicable? When do incumbents decide to co-optate, and whom? Moreover, what role does the opposition play in such cases? How are government-opposition relationships structured and what impact do these relationships have on the stability of the authoritarian regime?

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