Midterm

Question 1

What is a roving bandit?

Answer 1

An unstable ruler who loots and leaves, causing economic ruin and discouraging investment

Question 2

What is a stationary bandit?

Answer 2

A ruler who taxes instead of looting and ensures stability to sustain long-term revenue

Question 3

What is the minimalist definition of a dictatorship?

Answer 3

A regime in which rulers acquire power by means other than competitive elections

(Gandhi, 2008)

Question 4

What are the two distinctive features of dictatorships?

Answer 4

1) No independent authority

2) Violence as the ultimate arbiter

Question 5

What are the three main types of dictatorships?

Answer 5

1) Monarchic

2) Military

3) Civilian (Personalist and Single/Dominant-Party Regimes)

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a type of dictatorship?

A) Monarchic

B) Military

C) Democratic

D) Civilian

Answer 6

C

Question 7

What are the six main ways dictatorships begin?

Answer 7

1) Coups

2) Insurgencies

3) Popular uprisings

4) Foreign conquest/imposition

5) Autocratic elite rule changes

6) Authoritarianization

Question 8

What is a coup?

Answer 8

A sudden and illegal power grab, usually by military officers, to overthrow the executive and take control.

Question 9

How do insurgent regimes consolidate power?

4 points

Answer 9

using strong networks

imposing radical policies

replacing security forces

relying on coercion over persuasion

Question 10

What is the ‘divide and rule’ strategy?

Answer 10

A tactic where dictators fragment elites to maintain control with minimal resistance

Question 11

Which of the following is a coup-proofing strategy?

A) Allowing military officers to gain political influence

B) Military purges

C) Disbanding the military

D) Eliminating all opposition parties

Answer 11

B

Military purges help dictators remove disloyal officers who might attempt a coup. Other common coup-proofing strategies include creating rival security forces, rotating military leadership, and increasing military resources while ensuring loyalty.

Question 12

Why do dictatorships create ruling parties?

3 points

Answer 12

to consolidate power

to manage factionalism

to reduce military threats

Question 13

What are the main functions of political parties in dictatorships?

4 points

Answer 13

1) Information gathering

2) Mobilization

3) Distribution of benefits

4) Elite co-optation.

Question 14

Why do dictatorships hold elections?

5 points

Answer 14

to signal strength

to deter elite defection

to monitor opposition

to co-opt elites

to maintain internal party competition

Question 15

Elections in dictatorships primarily serve to…

A) Strengthen democracy

B) Showcase regime control and co-opt elites

C) Allow genuine political competition

D) Encourage opposition groups to gain power

Answer 15

B

Dictatorships often use elections as a tool to reinforce their legitimacy, monitor potential opposition, and distribute patronage, rather than to foster real democratic competition.

Question 16

What are the four main methods of ending dictatorships?

Answer 16

1) Coups

2) Popular uprisings

3) Insurgencies

4) Elections

Question 17

What is the free-rider problem in collective action?

Answer 17

Since public goods are non-excludable and non-rivalrous, individuals may avoid participating, assuming others will do the work.

Question 18

What is the tipping model in revolutions?

Answer 18

It describes how small changes in revolutionary thresholds can create a cascade effect, leading to mass uprisings.

Question 19

What is preference falsification?

Answer 19

The phenomenon where individuals hide their true opposition to a regime out of fear of repression.

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the tipping point in a revolution?

A) When enough individuals with low revolutionary thresholds take action

B) When the dictator willingly steps down

C) When external forces intervene

D) When economic conditions are at their best

Answer 20

A

The tipping point in a revolution occurs when a critical mass of people who were previously unwilling to act decide to participate, triggering a cascade effect. This often happens when repression, economic downturns, or policy changes lower individuals’ revolutionary thresholds, making them more willing to oppose the regime.

Question 21

What is a personalist dictatorship?

Answer 21

regime where power is concentrated in one leader, who dominates policy and suppresses opposition

Question 22

What is a dominant-party regime?

Answer 22

dictatorship where a single ruling party controls the state and political system

(i.e. the PAP in Singapore)

Question 23

What is a military dictatorship?

Answer 23

regime where the military directly controls the government

(i.e. Myanmar)

Question 24

What is authoritarianization?

Answer 24

A process where democratically elected leaders weaken opposition and erode democratic institutions, turning a democracy into an autocracy while staying in power.

Question 25

What is the role of repression (i.e. violence/surveillance/censorship) in dictatorships? | (2 points)

Answer 25

silence opposition maintain control

Question 26

Which of the following is an example of a military dictatorship? ## Footnote A) Singapore under the PAP B) North Korea under Kim Jong-un C) Myanmar's military government D) Saudi Arabia's monarchy

Answer 26

C ## Footnote Myanmar has been ruled by a military junta at various points in its history, where the military directly controls the government. The other options represent different types of authoritarian regimes: * **Singapore under the PAP** → Dominant-party regime * **North Korea under Kim Jong-un** → Personalist dictatorship * **Saudi Arabia’s monarchy** → Monarchic dictatorship

Question 27

What is elite co-optation?

Answer 27

A strategy where **dictators offer benefits, positions, and privileges to elites in exchange for loyalty**

Question 28

What factors influence whether a dictator can stay in power? | 5 points

Answer 28

1) Strength of ruling party 2) Loyalty of security forces 3) Economic performance 4) International support or sanctions 5) Repression and propaganda

Question 29

Which of the following is NOT a key feature of a dictatorship? ## Footnote A) No independent authority B) Competitive elections C) Violence as an ultimate arbiter D) Concentration of power

Answer 29

B ## Footnote Dictatorships lack genuinely competitive elections, as power is concentrated, opposition is suppressed, and the regime maintains control through coercion or manipulation. The other options—lack of independent authority, reliance on violence, and centralized power—are defining features of authoritarian rule.

Question 30

Which strategy is often used by dictators to prevent military coups? ## Footnote A) Strengthening opposition parties B) Frequently rotating military leadership C) Reducing military spending D) Allowing free elections

Answer 30

B ## Footnote By frequently rotating military leadership, dictators prevent any one officer from building a strong power base that could challenge their rule. This is a common coup-proofing strategy, along with military purges, creating rival security forces, and ensuring loyalty through patronage.

Question 31

What is a common issue with large revolutionary groups? ## Footnote A) They are easier to organize B) They struggle to monitor and punish free riders C) They always succeed D) They prefer democratic elections

Answer 31

B ## Footnote In large revolutionary groups, it becomes difficult to track participation and enforce commitment, leading to the free-rider problem—where individuals benefit from the revolution’s success without actively contributing. This weakens collective action and makes organization more challenging.

Question 32

What does a successful revolution require? ## Footnote A) A well-defined tipping event B) A large military force C) The dictator's approval D) A single powerful leader

Answer 32

A ## Footnote A successful revolution typically requires a tipping event—a catalyst that shifts public sentiment and mobilizes mass participation. This could be an economic crisis, a political scandal, government repression backfiring, or a visible act of defiance that sparks widespread action.

Question 33

Why do authoritarian regimes sometimes allow limited opposition parties? ## Footnote A) To create real democratic competition B) To monitor dissent and co-opt opposition C) To give up power voluntarily D) To comply with international law

Answer 33

B ## Footnote Authoritarian regimes allow limited opposition to track potential threats, absorb dissent, and create an illusion of legitimacy without actually ceding power. This helps them control the political landscape while maintaining authoritarian rule.

Question 34

What is an autocratic elite rule change?

Answer 34

A **shift in elite control that reshapes leadership and policies, creating a new regime** even if some incumbents stay.

Question 35

What are the risks of a military dictatorship? | 3 points

Answer 35

1) High risk of coups 2) Shorter tenure due to factionalism 3) Greater reliance on repression

Question 36

How does foreign conquest lead to dictatorship?

Answer 36

An **external power installs a ruling group**, replacing democratic, autocratic, or nonstate governance.

Question 37

What is a revolutionary threshold?

Answer 37

level of discontent needed for an individual to join a revolution

Question 38

Why do larger groups struggle with collective action?

Answer 38

monitoring and punishing **free riders** becomes more difficult, reducing overall participation

Question 39

Which of the following best describes a personalist dictatorship? ## Footnote A) A regime where the military rules directly B) A regime ruled by a dominant political party C) A regime where power is concentrated in one leader D) A monarchy with a strong royal family

Answer 39

C ## Footnote In a personalist dictatorship, a single leader dominates decision-making, suppresses opposition, and often eliminates institutional constraints on their power. Examples include North Korea under Kim Jong-un and Turkmenistan under Saparmurat Niyazov.

Question 40

Which dictatorship type tends to be the most stable? ## Footnote A) Monarchic B) Military C) Personalist D) Insurgent

Answer 40

A ## Footnote Monarchic dictatorships tend to be the most stable because of clear succession rules, elite cohesion, and long-standing legitimacy based on tradition. Unlike military or personalist regimes, monarchies often avoid internal power struggles and coups, leading to longer-lasting rule.

Question 41

Why do military regimes often transition out of power? ## Footnote A) They face internal factionalism B) They hold free elections C) They encourage democracy D) They receive too much foreign aid

Answer 41

A ## Footnote Military regimes often transition out of power because they struggle with internal factionalism, as different military factions compete for control. This weakens cohesion and increases the likelihood of coups, leading to either democratization or a shift to another form of authoritarian rule.

Question 42

What is an example of a dominant-party regime? ## Footnote A) North Korea under Kim Jong-un B) Myanmar's military government C) Saudi Arabia’s monarchy D) Singapore under the PAP

Answer 42

D ## Footnote A dominant-party regime is an authoritarian system where a single ruling party controls the state and political system, even if elections occur. The People’s Action Party (PAP) in Singapore has maintained power since 1959, allowing limited opposition while keeping tight control over governance. * **North Korea under Kim Jong-un** → Personalist dictatorship * **Myanmar’s military government** → Military dictatorship * **Saudi Arabia’s monarchy** → Monarchic dictatorship

Question 43

What is the most common way a dictatorship ends? ## Footnote A) Popular uprisings B) Coups C) Elections D) Insurgencies

Answer 43

B ## Footnote Coups are the most common method by which dictatorships end. A study analyzing coup attempts from 1950 to 2010 found that out of 457 recorded attempts, 227 (49.7%) were successful, leading to significant political changes . While other factors like popular uprisings, elections, and insurgencies can also lead to the downfall of dictatorial regimes, coups—often orchestrated by military factions or political elites—remain the predominant mechanism for such transitions.

Question 44

What is spoiling in coup-proofing?

Answer 44

**Increasing military resources to reduce coup willingness** despite enhancing coup capability

Question 45

Why do insurgent regimes struggle with legitimacy?

Answer 45

They often **rely on coercion rather than persuasion**, making governance difficult post-revolution.

Question 46

What is the role of propaganda in authoritarian regimes? | 3 points

Answer 46

shape public perception legitimize rule suppress opposition

Question 47

How do dictators balance repression and co-optation? | 2 points

Answer 47

**repression** to eliminate threats **co-optation** to reward loyalty and prevent defections.

Question 48

What is a hybrid regime?

Answer 48

A **government that combines democratic and authoritarian elements**, often holding elections that are not fully free or fair.

Question 49

Which of the following is a common challenge for dominant-party regimes? ## Footnote A) Military coups B) Managing elite defections C) Succession crises D) Both B and C

Answer 49

D ## Footnote Dominant-party regimes, like the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) or Singapore’s PAP, rely on a strong party structure to maintain control. However, they face two major challenges: * **Managing elite defections** → If high-ranking officials or factions within the party break away, it can weaken the regime’s grip on power. * **Succession crises** → Unlike monarchies, dominant-party regimes often struggle with leadership transitions, as there may be competition among elites for power after a long-standing leader steps down. While military coups (A) can threaten any dictatorship, dominant-party regimes are typically more resistant to them compared to military or personalist regimes.

Question 50

What is a rent-seeking elite?

Answer 50

Elites who **extract wealth without contributing to economic productivity**, often through corruption or patronage networks.

Question 51

Why do some dictators allow limited opposition? ## Footnote A) To strengthen democratic institutions B) To monitor dissent and prevent real competition C) To transition to democracy D) To gain international legitimacy

Answer 51

B ## Footnote Dictators allow limited opposition not to promote democracy, but to: * Keep track of dissenters and identify potential threats. * Create an illusion of pluralism to maintain legitimacy while ensuring real competition is blocked. * Co-opt opposition figures by offering them controlled participation in the system.

Question 52

What is the purpose of state surveillance in authoritarian regimes? ## Footnote A) To ensure security B) To control public behavior and deter opposition C) To improve government transparency D) To increase voter turnout

Answer 52

B ## Footnote In authoritarian regimes, state surveillance is used to monitor dissent, suppress opposition, and maintain control over the population. Governments use tactics like: * Mass surveillance (e.g., internet monitoring, phone tapping) * Censorship and propaganda * Targeting activists and opposition leaders

Question 53

Which of the following factors makes a revolution more likely? ## Footnote A) Economic downturn B) Strong opposition leadership C) Increased government repression D) All of the above

Answer 53

D ## Footnote Revolutions are more likely when multiple destabilizing factors align: * **Economic downturn (A)** → Hardship increases public dissatisfaction and reduces the regime’s ability to provide patronage. * **Strong opposition leadership (B)** → A well-organized opposition can mobilize people and provide a clear alternative to the regime. * **Increased government repression (C)** → Excessive repression can backfire, fueling anger and radicalizing opposition instead of deterring it.

Question 54

What is the selectorate theory?

Answer 54

A theory that **explains authoritarian stability based on the size of the ruling coalition and the selectorate** (those who have a say in leadership selection).

Question 55

Why do personalist dictatorships tend to collapse violently?

Answer 55

Because power is centralized in one leader, there are **no institutionalized succession mechanisms**, leading to instability when the leader is removed.

Question 56

What is a military purge?

Answer 56

The **removal of disloyal officers to prevent coups and solidify control** over the armed forces.

Question 57

Why do authoritarian regimes often emphasize nationalism? | 3 points

Answer 57

unify the population justify repression distract from internal problems

Question 58

What is the dictator’s dilemma?

Answer 58

the more a dictator represses dissent, the less reliable information they receive about public opinion | this, in turn, increases paranoia and instability

Question 59

Which regime type is most likely to allow some political competition? ## Footnote A) Military dictatorship B) Personalist dictatorship C) Dominant-party dictatorship D) Monarchic dictatorship

Answer 59

C ## Footnote Dominant-party dictatorships are the most likely to allow some political competition, though it is usually controlled and manipulated. These regimes, such as China under the CCP or Singapore under the PAP, may permit opposition parties to exist, hold elections, and allow limited dissent without actually threatening their grip on power. In contrast: * **Military dictatorships (A)** tend to suppress opposition forcefully. * **Personalist dictatorships (B)** revolve around a single ruler and concentrate power, limiting competition. * **Monarchic dictatorships (D)** rely on hereditary rule and rarely allow meaningful political competition.

Question 60

What is the best predictor of whether a dictatorship will hold elections? ## Footnote A) Economic growth B) International pressure C) Presence of a ruling party D) Military strength

Answer 60

C ## Footnote In authoritarian regimes, the existence of a dominant ruling party is a strong predictor of whether elections will be held. These regimes often use elections as a tool to maintain legitimacy, manage elite competition, and monitor public sentiment, all while ensuring the ruling party’s continued dominance. While factors like economic growth, international pressure, and military strength can influence the political landscape, the presence of an established ruling party is the most significant indicator that elections will occur, albeit often controlled and non-competitive.

Question 61

Which of the following is NOT a coup-proofing strategy? ## Footnote A) Creating rival security forces B) Holding free elections C) Rotating military leadership D) Conducting military purges

Answer 61

B ## Footnote Holding free elections is *not* a coup-proofing strategy. In fact, free elections can empower opposition groups and potentially lead to a transfer of power away from the incumbent regime. In contrast, the other options are common coup-proofing strategies: * **Creating rival security forces:** Establishing multiple security agencies with overlapping responsibilities to monitor each other and prevent any single group from gaining enough power to stage a coup.  * **Rotating military leadership:** Frequently changing military commanders to prevent them from building a loyal base that could support a coup attempt. * **Conducting military purges:** Removing or reassigning military personnel suspected of disloyalty to deter potential coup plotters.