Civil Society, Activism, and Repression in Authoritarian Regimes

Abstract

Abstract This chapter sheds light on major debates concerning different modes of repression in authoritarian regimes and through conceptualizing civil society. It argues that an autocratization process after regime breakdown is like a state-building process and is characterized by an increase in the use of coercion and repression against social actors. Thus regimes which have foreseen breakdown and are in the process of authoritarian regime-building increase their repressive strategies towards civil society. They want to build their reputation for ferocity, but at the same time they want to build consent through hegemonizing the public sphere. On the other hand, in resilient authoritarian regimes that do not face imminent threats to their existence, co-optation of the majority of civil society actors is rather the norm, while repression is the exception.