Chapter 5: Regimes
Learning Objectives
Explain why representative democracy is the only feasible kind
Contrast elitist and pluralist theories of democracy
List the features attributed to totalitarianism
Distinguish authoritarianism from totalitarianism
Explain why new democracies often fail
Introduction: Defining and Classifying Regimes
The chapter opens by illustrating the struggle for democracy using the example of Hong
Kong and Beijing’s efforts to stifle democratic movements.
Regimes are classified into four main types: Democratic, Transitional, Authoritarian,
and Totalitarian
o Transitional regimes are in flux, shifting between more or less democratic
systems (e.g., Egypt, Russia).
o Authoritarian regimes include Iran and China; Totalitarian examples are North
Korea and Cuba.
Corruption is noted as undermining Communist regimes, and it is listed as pervasive or
major in authoritarian and totalitarian regimes, respectively.
5.1 Representative Democracy
Democracy is defined as a complex and carefully balanced political system featuring mass
participation, competitive elections, and human and civil rights.
A. Why Representative Democracy is Necessary
Democracy is complex and needs thoughtful citizens, limits on power, rule of law, and
rights.
Some elections produce regimes that ride rough-shod over rights, leading to illiberal
democracy—regimes that are elected but lack democratic qualities.
B. Key Criteria for Democracy
1. Popular Accountability of Government: Policymakers must gain the support of a
majority or plurality of votes. Leaders must be freely, fairly, and periodically elected.
2. Alternation in Power: The reins of power must occasionally change hands peacefully,
meaning no party or individual should lock executive power.
3. Popular Representation: Voters elect representatives to act as legislators. There are two
main concepts regarding how representatives should act:
o Mandate: Representatives carry out the specific wishes of constituents.
o Trustee: Representatives act in the best interests of the whole, especially when
constituents lack opinion or when public opinion runs against necessary policy
(e.g., financial bailouts).
4. Majority Decision with Minority Rights: While the majority decides, modern democracy
requires respect for minority rights, necessitating an independent judiciary.
5. Right of Dissent and Disobedience (Civil Disobedience): People must have the right to
resist government commands deemed wrong or unreasonable, provided resistance is
nonviolent and does not exceed the general legal structure of the state (e.g., Mahatma
Gandhi).
6. Popular Consultation: Effective government requires leaders to know public opinion and
be responsive to needs, often monitored via polling and the mass media.
5.2 Democracy in Practice: Elitism or Pluralism?
The study of democracy acknowledges that political power is unevenly distributed; a few (elites)
hold much power, and the many (masses) have little.
Elite Theory: Argues that government always falls to a small, powerful group.
o Elite theorists view society as a single pyramid with a tiny elite at the top.
o The governing elites discussed in Chapter 5 constitute a tiny fraction of 1 percent
of a population.
o A pure elite theorist believes elites are little accountable to the masses.
Pluralism: Theory that politics is the interaction of many groups; political power results
from many conflicting interest groups colliding with government.
o Pluralists believe elites are ultimately accountable.
Synthesis (Polyarchy/Consociational Democracy):
o Robert Dahl termed a synthesis polyarchy—the rule of leaders of several groups
who reach stable understandings.
o Arend Lijphart called it consociational democracy, where elites of major groups
bargain and play by constitutional rules.
5.3 Totalitarianism
Totalitarianism is a political system in which the state attempts total control of its citizens. It is
largely a "disease of the twentieth century" and has largely faded.
Features of Totalitarianism (Idealized Model):
1. Militant Ideology: Provides the official faith necessary to sustain the state.
2. Single, Highly Structured Party: Typically monopolizes political power and is organized
hierarchically (e.g., the Communist Party).
3. Organized Terror: Uses secret police and internal spies to enforce compliance and
eliminate real or potential opposition; arrests and executions demonstrate state power
(e.g., Mao, Hitler, Stalin).
4. Monopoly of Communications: The media are strictly censored to sell the official
ideology.
5. Monopoly of Weapons: Eliminates armed resistance.
6. Controlled Economy: The regime controls the economy, allocating resources as the party
wishes, leading to economic backwardness (e.g., Soviet Union, Cuba).
Totalitarianism rarely matched reality fully; it was an attempt at control rather than an
achievement of it. Regimes eventually collapsed or abandoned ruthless tactics.
Right-Wing Totalitarianism (e.g., Fascism, Nazism) developed in industrialized nations to
block leftist revolution, glorifying the state and permitting a coordinated private
economy.
5.4 Authoritarianism
Authoritarianism is a nondemocratic government, usually governed by a small group (e.g., a
dictator or the army), that minimizes popular input but is not necessarily totalitarian.
Authoritarian regimes do not attempt total control; they leave many economic, social,
religious, cultural, and familial matters up to individuals.
They rarely have a firm ideology to sell.
Types of Authoritarianism (Table 5.3): Military, Personalistic, Traditional monarchy,
Dominant-party, and Single-party systems.
Authoritarian Capitalism (e.g., China, Russia) is a new model allowing partially market
economies while retaining tight political control, selling economic growth and rising
living standards to gain acceptance.
5.5 The Democratization of Authoritarian Regimes
Dozens of countries have abandoned authoritarian or totalitarian systems since 1974, though
some have slid backward.
Why Democracies Fail: Stable democracy typically takes root in countries with large,
educated middle classes. Barrington Moore observed, “No bourgeoisie, no democracy,”
as middle classes bring moderation and tolerance.
Democracy can fail in unprepared countries. In poor countries, many citizens prioritize
survival and may prefer a dictator who "puts food on the table" over an elected leader
who does not.
Elections can undermine democracy without these stabilizing factors (e.g., Iraq, Russia,
Zimbabwe).
Case Study: Democracy in Iraq? Iraq's post-2003 democracy struggled because its
population groups (Shia, Sunni, Kurds) did not like each other, leading to the Shia
majority ignoring Sunni demands and resulting in violent conflict and the rise of
extremist militants.
Chapter 5 Key Terms (Selection)
Authoritarian: Nondemocratic government but not necessarily totalitarian.
Democracy: Political system of mass participation, competitive elections, and human
and civil rights.
Elites: The “top” or most influential people in a political system.
Illiberal Democracy: Regimes that are elected but lack democratic qualities such as civil
rights and limits on government.
Mandate: A representative carrying out the specific wishes of the public.
Pluralism: Theory that politics is the interaction of many groups.
Totalitarian: Political system in which the state attempts total control of its citizens.
Trustee: A representative deciding the public good without a specific mandate.