Revolution and Dictatorship: The Violent Origins of Durable Authoritarianism

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n Revolution and Dictatorship: The Violent Origins of Durable Authoritarianism, Steven Levitsky and Lucan Way present a groundbreaking analysis of the exceptional durability of revolutionary autocracies, specifically those born out of violence. By examining notable cases such as China, Cuba, Iran, the Soviet Union, and Vietnam, the authors seek to unravel the durability of these regimes, even in the face of severe economic crises, policy failures, public discontent, and external pressures. Why do certain autocratic governments manage to weather the challenges, and what paves the way?

Revolution and Dictatorship sheds light on the initial fragility of revolutionary governments. Despite their weak beginnings, these regimes confront formidable domestic and foreign actors, often with counterrevolutions that spark internal or external conflicts that are detrimental to their survival. The authors exemplify this with cases like Afghanistan, where counterrevolutionary wars led to the downfall of the nascent regimes. However, for those regimes that do manage to persevere, protracted conflicts play a transformative role in solidifying the ruling elite and establishing a loyal coercive apparatus.

Levitsky and Way argue that the unity fostered during these conflicts serves as a catalyst for the demise of rival organizations and alternative centers of power. Consequently, revolutionary regimes become immune to elite defection, military coups, and mass protests—three primary factors that contribute to the downfall of authoritarian governments.

Furthermore, the book underscores the transformative power of revolutions, which often result in the expansion of state authority and rapid industrial and military advancements. The destruction of established elites and the mobilization of vast societal resources allow revolutionary regimes to leapfrog others in the geopolitical hierarchy, having an impact on international politics.

Overall, Revolution and Dictatorship: The Violent Origins of Durable Authoritarianism is a thought-provoking and insightful exploration of the dynamics between revolution, counterrevolution, and the consolidation of autocratic rule. Levitsky and Way’s meticulous research and intriguing historical analysis, coupled with their engaging writing style, make this book a valuable resource for scholars and policymakers alike.

Steven Levitsky and Lucan Way, Revolution and Dictatorship: The Violent Origins of Durable Authoritarianism (Princeton University Press, 2022) ISBN: 9780691169521, 656 pages.

Written by Dilara Özer.