If an autocrat has overwhelming public support and the necessary political resources, they might engage in radical tactics to undermine a country’s democracy.

Overt and Radical Changes to a Country’s Democracy

Autocrats can engage in stealth tactics that subtly change the democratic culture of a country but—because of their subtle nature—are difficult to point out as autocratic and effectively resist. Furthermore, because of the gradual nature of democratic erosion, the public may become used to a more autocratic political culture and may not realize how much democracy has weakened until it is too late.

Subtle Changes to a Country’s Democracy and Democratic Norms

Autocrats can take a variety of routes to destabilize a country’s democracy and consolidate power. Tactics can be more overt—such as by amending or even replacing a country’s constitution to their benefit—or they can be more subtle—such as by shifting a country’s political culture in their favor.

Wesleyan University

Autocrats primarily degrade democracy across three categories: by compromising the rule of law, attacking civil liberties, and violating the freeness and fairness of their countries’ elections. Autocrats can also violate democratic norms to change the culture of a country from a more democratic political culture to a more autocratic one. 

How Autocrats Degrade Democracy in Power

Autocrats seek to reduce checks on their power to consolidate power for themselves. To do so, they control the legislature, judiciary, and other institutions that typically check executive power. 

Attacking the Rule of Law and Reducing Checks on Executive Power

Autocrats attack civil liberties to limit the ability of citizens to challenge their rule. They might attack press freedoms or consolidate media power, diminish voting rights, or attack civil society organizations (CSOs). Autocrats can also utilize emergencies as excuses for violating human rights and consolidating their power.

Attacking Civil Liberties

Autocrats manipulate voting laws and the way that elections are run so that they can more easily beat their opponents and continue to rule.

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