Since the 19th Party Congress, China has been asserting its model of (authoritarian) governance as an alternative to liberal democracy and affirming its desire to export it. Since it can harm their...Show moreSince the 19th Party Congress, China has been asserting its model of (authoritarian) governance as an alternative to liberal democracy and affirming its desire to export it. Since it can harm their economy and political power, boldly voicing the goal of authoritarian expansionism seems counterproductive. There is no consensus on the driving force behind China's authoritarian expansionism. This thesis employs a multidisciplinary approach to formulate a more nuanced and comprehensive explanation. Three established explanations—‘security from foreign intervention,’ ‘popular legitimacy through ideology,’ and ‘solving elite rivalry’—are identified and tested using process tracing to find the most plausible explanation. None of the explanations emerged as adequate; therefore, this thesis proposes a new explanation of ‘regime survival’ as the primary driving force behind authoritarian expansionism. 'Popular legitimacy through ideology,’ and ‘solving elite rivalry,' are domestic dynamics that interact and threaten regime preservation. Authoritarian expansionism allows for policies that could resolve these threats, at least in the short term.Show less
In this dissertation, an integrated theory is proposed in order to test why authoritarian regimes engage in mass killings during counterinsurgency operations. The current state of research is...Show moreIn this dissertation, an integrated theory is proposed in order to test why authoritarian regimes engage in mass killings during counterinsurgency operations. The current state of research is limited, scholars who studied the phenomenon either stuck to explaining parts or lacked the necessary overview of factors that can lead to mass killings in counterinsurgency operations. Within this research, three strands of literature that relate to either mass killings, authoritarian counterinsurgency or counterinsurgency in general are proposed that provide competing answers to the research objective. Subsequently, this integrated body of literature is applied to three cases: Iraq, Guatemala and the Soviet Union. The findings show that the threats stemming from the insurgents, and in this conceptualization more specifically the nature of the insurgency, the regime crisis as a result of the insurgency and the dysfunctionality of previous conventional measures provide the most feasible explanations for why authoritarian regimes engage in mass killings. Additional value is attributed to both veto player interests and elite ideology in determining authoritarian decision-making in the light of draconian counterinsurgency measures. The research moreover shows that the respective reasons to engage in mass killings influence and sometimes enforce each other.Show less
To what extent can interstate conflict initiation be considered a coup-proofing strategy? Further, how can coup-proofing impact civil war onset and leader survival? This thesis provides insight...Show moreTo what extent can interstate conflict initiation be considered a coup-proofing strategy? Further, how can coup-proofing impact civil war onset and leader survival? This thesis provides insight into elite rivalry, coup-proofing and leader survival in authoritarian regimes. I use a single case study of authoritarian leader Mohamed Siad Barre of Somalia, who ruled Somalia from 1969 to1991. With the use of existing theories on authoritarian leaders, I determine whether leaders use interstate conflict initiation as a coup-proofing strategy by examining the Ogaden War (1977-1978). I also ascertain whether coup-proofing can contribute to civil war onset and the removal of leaders from office. I propose that the Ogaden War was initiated as a coup-proofing strategy to reduce the coup risk of the Somali leader from the Somali National Army. Thus, I argue that interstate conflict initiation can be considered a form of coup-proofing. The study also suggests that protracted use of coup-proofing strategies, specifically, exclusion along ethic or tribal lines can deepen cleavages within already fractionalized societies, which in turn can lead to civil war onset.Show less
