As an autocracy, the Chinese government reacted swiftly to the Great Recession with a series of bold economic policies that they could institute without having to negotiate with multiple parties. As a result, China’s real GDP grew by 9% in 2009 while global GDP shrunk.

Wesleyan University

Autocracies are not beholden to public pressures the way that democracies are, and are therefore less likely to cave to populist demands. Whereas democracies might feel pressured to implement popular policies that are not good for economic growth, autocracies have no such disadvantage. Furthermore, autocracies can act swiftly without checks on their power. 

Autocratic Advantages in Handling Economic Crises

The scholarly literature on autocratic regimes and their response to the Great Recession mostly focuses on China’s response to the crisis. 

How Autocracies Handled the Great Recession

Essers, D. (2012). Democracy and external shock resilience in developing countries: Evidence from the Great Recession (No. 2012.02). University of Antwerp, Institute of Development Policy (IOB).

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