Policy Press

Authoritarian Contagion

The Global Threat to Democracy

By Luke Cooper

Published

Jun 23, 2021

Page count

160 pages

ISBN

978-1529217797

Dimensions

203 x 127 mm

Imprint

Bristol University Press

Published

Jun 23, 2021

Page count

160 pages

ISBN

978-1529217803

Dimensions

203 x 127 mm

Imprint

Bristol University Press

Published

Jun 23, 2021

Page count

160 pages

ISBN

978-1529217803

Dimensions

203 x 127 mm

Imprint

Bristol University Press
Authoritarian Contagion

The 21st century has not seen the triumph of democracy that some predicted but instead, in many cases, a turn towards authoritarian forms of government as an imagined solution to the many crises facing humanity.

This innovative and important book draws on examples from around the world to examine the spread of draconian and nationalistic forms of government: a lurch towards ‘authoritarian protectionism’ which observes a simple maxim, that ‘the world may end for others, but not for us’.

While there is hope that the COVID-19 crisis could lead to a reinvigoration of democracy and a new economic agenda, there is also the risk of a further slide towards authoritarian rule and an urgent need for democratic renewal and change to combat this. The novel conceptualization offered in this book will give readers a new and deeper insight into the changing nature of the authoritarian threat to democracy – and how it might be overcome.

Luke Cooper is a consultant researcher based at LSE IDEAS, the foreign policy think tank at the London School of Economics and Political Science. He was previously a Visiting Fellow on the Europe’s Futures programme at the IWM (Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna) and is currently researching European politics and the global rise of authoritarianism. He runs a podcast called the Another Europe is Possible Podcast, with Zoe Williams of The Guardian.

1. On the March

2. Them and Us

3. 'I Will Protect You'

4. Pandemic Politics

5. Sino-America

6. Authoritarian Futures?