Taking authoritarianism seriously: Towards a research agenda on authoritarian states and IOs

This paper develops a research agenda linking the character and interests of illiberal and authoritarian regimes to the evolving multilateral order and the shifting patterns of global governance. To start, we note that little is known about how different types of authoritarian states approach and act within international organizations. As a step in this direction, the paper then presents a two part research agenda. The first part, treating authoritarianism as a regime type, explores its implications for the functioning, nature and legitimacy of international organizations. The second part delves into varieties of authoritarianism and, based on an original typology, formulates some expectations about the ways in which different varieties of authoritarianism act in international organizations. Together, the two agendas clarify what is known and what remains to be understood in this critical area.