Description
Discover 'The Autocratic Middle Class'—a transformative book that redefines our understanding of the dynamics between the middle class and democracy. This groundbreaking work by Bryn Rosenfeld reveals how the economic dependence of the middle class on state structures can actually impede democratization while bolstering authoritarian regimes. Rather than being a catalyst for democratic change, the rising middle classes in post-Soviet nations like Russia have been shown to support and maintain autocratic governance. This insightful exploration draws from comprehensive attitudinal surveys, extensive field research, and unique data on protest behavior to illustrate how a middle class reliant on state employment in sectors like administration and state enterprises can stifle political transformation. With ISBN 9780691192185, this brand new trade paperback edition from Princeton University Press, published in 2021, delves deeply into the relationship between economic growth and democratic development. Perfect for political science students, researchers, and anyone interested in the intersection of state power and society, this book challenges conventional wisdom surrounding democratization theory. Shipping is free for this item, and please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Note that once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9780691192185
Format: Trade paperback (US)
Year: 2021
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Description:
How middle class economic dependence on the state impedes democratization and contributes to authoritarian resilience
Conventional wisdom holds that the rising middle classes are a force for democracy. Yet in post-Soviet countries like Russia, where the middle class has grown rapidly, authoritarianism is deepening. Challenging a basic tenet of democratization theory, Bryn Rosenfeld shows how the middle classes can actually be a source of support for autocracy and authoritarian resilience, and reveals why development and economic growth do not necessarily lead to greater democracy.
In pursuit of development, authoritarian states often employ large swaths of the middle class in state administration, the government budget sector, and state enterprises. Drawing on attitudinal surveys, unique data on protest behavior, and extensive fieldwork in the post-Soviet region, Rosenfeld documents how the failure of the middle class to gain economic autonomy from the state stymies support for political change, and how state economic engagement reduces middle-class demands for democracy and weakens prodemocratic coalitions.
The Autocratic Middle Class makes a vital contribution to the study of democratization, showing how dependence on the state weakens the incentives of key societal actors to prefer and pursue democracy.
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9780691192185
Format: Trade paperback (US)
Year: 2021
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Description:
How middle class economic dependence on the state impedes democratization and contributes to authoritarian resilience
Conventional wisdom holds that the rising middle classes are a force for democracy. Yet in post-Soviet countries like Russia, where the middle class has grown rapidly, authoritarianism is deepening. Challenging a basic tenet of democratization theory, Bryn Rosenfeld shows how the middle classes can actually be a source of support for autocracy and authoritarian resilience, and reveals why development and economic growth do not necessarily lead to greater democracy.
In pursuit of development, authoritarian states often employ large swaths of the middle class in state administration, the government budget sector, and state enterprises. Drawing on attitudinal surveys, unique data on protest behavior, and extensive fieldwork in the post-Soviet region, Rosenfeld documents how the failure of the middle class to gain economic autonomy from the state stymies support for political change, and how state economic engagement reduces middle-class demands for democracy and weakens prodemocratic coalitions.
The Autocratic Middle Class makes a vital contribution to the study of democratization, showing how dependence on the state weakens the incentives of key societal actors to prefer and pursue democracy.