Authoritarianism and Ideology
A Comparison of Regimes
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
As a rule, authoritarian regimes do not develop a cohesive and binding ideology. This distinguishes them from totalitarian regimes. However, a comparative look at right-wing and left-wing dictatorships in the second half of the 20th century shows that the juntas in Greece and Latin America, as well as the authoritarian regimes in Spain, the Philippines or Egypt, worked with ideological set pieces. The Putin regime did the same in the 2000s, and after the protests of 2011–12, it massively intensified this practice. Since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has been moving toward totalitarian rule. Nonetheless, comparison shows: every regime that tries to impose a state ideology crumbles with the death of the ruler at the latest.
(Osteuropa 5-6/2023, pp. 115–126)