Autocrats and peaceful resignation in the post-Soviet space: is there a political culture explanation?

Abstract

ABSTRACT When faced with large-scale dissent, autocracies often use repression. However, in some cases, autocrats resign peacefully, raising the question of why they do not prioritise the survival of their regime. I investigate a culture-related explanation I term “moderating” theory – that high levels of a country's support for democracy have a “moderating” cognitive effect on autocrats' decision-making – in two case studies: Georgia and Armenia. In 2003, President Eduard Shevardnadze (1995-2003) of Georgia peacefully stepped down following a large-scale electoral protest. In Armenia 2018, Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan (2008-2018) abandoned his position without using military force when faced with mass dissent.