Democratic legacies in autocratizing societies

Recent years have seen a rise of autocratization episodes within (former) democracies. Analyzing this phenomenon, this project asks a series of interrelated questions: what is the effect of a country's democratic experience at the onset of democratic recession? Does democracy strengthen a resistance based in shared norms and enabled by democratic procedures or do these norms and procedures rather constrain those actors who oppose democratic recession? And does democratic experience provide a reference point or does the continuation of hollowed-out institutions cloud citizens' judgements? Specifically, the project targets three aspects: First, differences in the resilience to autocratization between democracies and autocracies. Second, differences in the dynamics of autocratization episodes across context, considering the actions of citizens, organized civil society and parties. Third, the extent to which these actors draw on democracy as a resource. In this framework, actors’ responses to early signs of democratic recession are a key component as resistance becomes more difficult as democratic recession proceeds. While opposition actors, both from the party and civil sectors, may hold significant power resources at the onset of democratic recession, incumbent governments typically restrict these powers quickly. However, especially in consolidated democracies, resistance to early signs of democratic recession may seem alarmist and potentially electorally costly. The submission presents initial evidence on early alarms and the response to them from Hungary. It also outlines a proposal for a comparative research agenda spanning ‘positive’ and ‘negative cases (cases of democratic recession and those where recession was stopped at its onset) from three continents, dating from the early 20th century to today.