Authoritarianism in an Age of Democratization

Far from sweeping the globe uniformly, the 'third wave of democratization' left burgeoning republics and resilient dictatorships in its wake. Applying more than a year of original fieldwork in Egypt, Iran, Malaysia, and the Philippines, in this 2007 book Jason Brownlee shows that the mixed record of recent democratization is best deciphered through a historical and institutional approach to authoritarian rule. Exposing the internal organizations that structure elite conflict, Brownlee demonstrates why the critical soft-liners needed for democratic transitions have been dormant in Egypt and Malaysia but outspoken in Iran and the Philippines. By establishing how ruling parties originated and why they impede change, Brownlee illuminates the problem of contemporary authoritarianism and informs the promotion of durable democracy. Cover 1 Half-title 3 Title 5 Copyright 6 Dedications 7 Contents 9 List of Figures and Tables 10 Figures 10 Tables 10 Abbreviations and Acronyms 11 Acknowledgments 13 Introduction: Authoritarianism in an Age of Democratization 17 Four Cases, Two Trends 19 What Autocrats’ Elections Are and Are Not 22 Ruling Parties and Regime Persistence 26 1 The Political Origins of Durable Authoritarianism 32 The Ongoing Role of Structural Variables 33 A Brand New Authoritarianism? 41 Party Institutions and Authoritarian Rule 48 Early Regime Formation: The Origins of Ruling Parties 51 Medium-Term Institutional Legacies: Ruling Parties and Elite Behavior 53 Regime Outcomes: Ruling Parties and Durable Authoritarianism 56 Conclusion 58 2 The Inception of Ruling Parties 60 Pluralism Defeated: Ruling Party Foundations in Egypt and Malaysia 63 No Return to the Barracks: Egypt, 1952–1954 64 The Defeat of Nonethnic Politics: Malaya, 1946–1957 72 Pluralism Persistent: Factionalized Parties in Iran and the Philippines 80 Hierocratic Aims, Democratic Hopes: Iran, 1979–1981 80 Dueling Patrons and Abortive Autocracy: The Philippines, 1899–1946 88 Conclusion 96 3 Institutional Legacies and Coalitional Tensions 98 Robust Ruling Parties and Elite Dominance in Egypt and Malaysia 99 From Single-Party Rule to Guided Multipartyism: Egypt, 1954–1981 100 UMNO’s Alliance and National Front: Malaysia, 1957–1981 109 Elite Dissent and Party Deactivation in Iran and the Philippines 116 The Right Wing’s Climb and the IRP’s Decline: Iran, 1981–1992 117 Presidentialism Run Amok: The Philippines, 1946–1978 127 Conclusion 135 4 Ruling Parties and Regime Persistence: Egypt and Malaysia during the Third Wave 138 Elite Cohesion in Typical Egyptian and Malaysian Elections 139 Deliberalization under Mubarak: Egypt, 1981–1998 140 Mahathir’s Initial Victories: Malaysia, 1981–1986 144 Elite Conflict and Its Resolution in Egypt and Malaysia 146 Generational Merger in the NDP: Egypt, 1999–2000 147 The Defeat of Team B and Semangat ’46: Malaysia, 1987–1996 153 Regime Renewal: Power Handovers in Egypt and Malaysia 161 The New Guard’s Self-Promotion: Egypt, 2001–2006 161 Mahathir Thwarts Reform: Malaysia, 1997–2006 168 Conclusion 171 5 Elite Defections and Electoral Defeat: Iran during the Third Wave 173 Rupture in the Right: Iran, 1993–1996 174 The Left’s Revival: Iran, 1997–2000 179 The Traditionalists Retaliate: Iran, 2000–2006 187 Conclusion 194 6 Confrontation and Democratization: The Philippines during the Third Wave 198 Opportunists become Oppositionists: The Philippines, 1979–1984 199 Election Monitors and Political Momentum: The Philippines, 1984 206 Mass Mobilization: The Philippines, 1985–1986 209 Consoled but Unconsolidated: The Philippines, 1987–2006 212 Conclusion 216 7 Conclusions 218 Findings 218 The Limits of Leadership 219 Elite Insecurity and Opposition Challenges 221 Rulers and Electoral Rules 223 The Political Infrastructure of Repression 226 Foreign Patrons, Local Contestants 227 Economic Cleavages and Political Linkages 228 The Political Role of Parties 230 The Landscape of Contemporary Democratization 233 References 239 Index 261 Far From Sweeping The Globe Uniformly, The Third Wave Of Democratization Left Burgeoning Republics And Resilient Dictatorships In Its Wake. Applying More Than A Year Of Original Fieldwork In Egypt, Iran, Malaysia, And The Philippines, Jason Brownlee Shows That The Mixed Record Of Recent Democratization Is Best Deciphered Through A Historical And Institutional Approach To Authoritarian Rule. Exposing The Internal Organizations That Structure Elite Conflict, Brownlee Demonstrates Why The Critical Soft-liners Needed For Democratic Transitions Have Been Dormant In Egypt And Malaysia But Outspoken In Iran And The Philippines.--book Jacket. The Political Origins Of Durable Authoritarianism -- The Inception Of Ruling Parties -- Institutional Legacies And Coalitional Tensions -- Ruling Parties And Regime Persistence : Egypt And Malaysia During The Third Wave -- Elite Defections And Electoral Defeat : Iran During The Third Wave -- Confrontation And Democratization : The Philippines During The Third Wave -- Conclusions. Jason Brownlee. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 223-244) And Index. "Far from sweeping the globe uniformly, the "third wave of democratization" left burgeoning republics and resilient dictatorships in its wake. Applying more than a year of original fieldwork in Egypt, Iran, Malaysia, and the Philippines, Jason Brownlee shows that the mixed record of recent democratization is best deciphered through a historical and institutional approach to authoritarian rule. Exposing the internal organizations that structure elite conflict, Brownlee demonstrates why the critical soft-liners needed for democratic transitions have been dormant in Egypt and Malaysia but outspoken in Iran and the Philippines."-- Jaquette This book examines why many authoritarian regimes, posing as democracies through elections, do not become democracies in reality. The author accounts for the durability of dictatorships in Egypt and Malaysia, factionalism and abortive democratization of Iran, and the successful overthrow of Marcos's regime in the Philippines.

About the Author:
Jason Brownlee is Assistant Professor of Government at the University of Texas at Austin