Securitizing the State? the Challenges of Illiberal Democracies and Authoritarian Benevolence

Resurgent authoritarianism is evident in all parts of the word. This problem has been affecting western countries with established democracies, to emerging democracies in Africa, and countries in Latin America to Asia. We see this trend in reactionary-cum-populist regimes in established democracies, coups in Africa, and the reversal of liberal policies in recent democracies and former communist countries. At the heart of this trend is the failure of neoliberal systems to address issues of human and state security, which have led to growing frustrations about social inequality, poverty, and insecurity. These weaknesses are exploited by populists and authoritarian regimes and movements in ways that breed illiberal democracies and in worst cases entrenching authoritarianism – often presented as solutions of the failures of neoliberalism. Yet the histories of authoritarian rules across the world have been problematic and in most cases catastrophic leading to mass violation of human rights, poverty and wars.

This session seeks to examine the intersection of liberalism and security, and the implications for democratic governance around the world. A critical question is how illiberal systems have been reemerging around the world and the implications of their claim to authoritarian benevolence. How do democracies slide into illiberal democracies? What are the forms and nature of contemporary authoritarianism? Can authoritarian regimes resolve the problems of social inequality, poverty, and insecurity? Can authoritarianism be tamed? Is authoritarian benevolence sustainable? The session seeks papers that address these issues through case studies, comparative analysis, or theoretical approaches. All regions and methodologies are welcome.