Revolution and Dictatorship: The Violent Origins of Durable Authoritarianism

by Steven Levitsky, Steven Levitsky, Joe Barrett (Reader)

Revolution and Dictatorship explores why dictatorships born of social revolution--such as those in China, Cuba, Iran, the Soviet Union, and Vietnam--are extraordinarily durable, even in the face of economic crisis, large-scale policy failure, mass discontent, and intense external pressure. Few other modern autocracies have survived in the face of such extreme challenges. Drawing on comparative historical analysis, Steven Levitsky and Lucan Way argue that radical efforts to transform the social and geopolitical order trigger intense counterrevolutionary conflict, which initially threatens regime survival, but ultimately fosters the unity and state-building that supports authoritarianism. Although most revolutionary governments begin weak, they challenge powerful domestic and foreign actors, often bringing about civil or external wars. These counterrevolutionary wars pose a threat that can destroy new regimes, as in the cases of Afghanistan and Cambodia. Among regimes that survive, however, prolonged conflicts give rise to a cohesive ruling elite and a powerful and loyal coercive apparatus. This leads to the downfall of rival organizations and alternative centers of power, such as armies, churches, and landowners, and helps to inoculate revolutionary regimes against elite defection, military coups, and mass protest--principal sources of authoritarian breakdown.

Genres: Politics, History, Nonfiction, Political Science, International Relations

1 pages, Audio CD

First published September 13, 2022

About the author

Steven Levitsky is an American political scientist and Professor of Government at Harvard University. A comparative political scientist, his research interests focus on Latin America and include political parties and party systems, authoritarianism and democratization, and weak and informal institutions.

Reviews

[Gonzalo Zamora Galleguillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joder esto sí es ciencia política.


No pero sin bromear, el libro es ejemplar. Propone una tesis clara, una conceptualización que aunque un poco arbitraria, es precisa, y una selección de casos de lo más ilustradora.

Mis únicas críticas, que realmente dan paso a expandir los horizontes de la tesis de Levitsky y Way es qué pasa con los casos de revoluciones no sociales. Me interesaría saber como interactúan las variables de cada tipo de revolución con la gestación de estos autoritarismos duraderos o de muerte temprana. De igual manera, pensar en revoluciones incluso previas al marxismo, aunque ahí veo la dificultad de pensar en términos donde aun no existe la dicotomía de democracia y dictadura.

Nada de lo que menciono pretende menospreciar al libro, todos saben que no tengo aún el bagaje para pensar algo así. Pero las ganas de seguir leyendo esta disciplina me ganan a veces, gracias por tanto ciencia política.

[Niloufar · Rating 4 out of 5]

این کتاب رو نشر شیرازه با اسم انقلاب و استبداد چاپ کرده.
تمرکز کتاب روی بررسی انقلاب‌ها برای توضیح تاثیر چگونگی رخ دادن انقلاب روی پایداری حکومت انقلابی در ادامه‌ی تشکیل حکومته.

[Enee · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a brilliant set of criteria to examine and follow through history that the authors have put forward for consideration. This book is filled with daunting, yet intensely interesting, ideas about violent repression and war, and how these tragedies have actually molded some modern states into a much stronger shape to last for theory-defyingly long periods of time. I think that it is especially timely as people marvel at the durability of China and Iran current states despite circumstances that should have toppled them. Their analysis of the Cuban revolution is thoroughly impressive as it seems to fit right in with their model of authoritarian regimes that have held fast throughout the decades despite huge periods of hardship. Everyone interested in IR or history should read this to better understand the phenomenon of the modern authoritarian regimes. Additionally, there is interesting aspects of each countries' history that was surprising to learn throughout this read.

[Scott Martin · Rating 2 out of 5]

(2.5 stars) (Audiobook) This is one of those works that it is probably better to read hard copy vs. audiobook. The writing and subject matter are of an academic nature and as such, it can be hard to catch the meanings and details in audio form. There is compelling information, and it covers a wide swath of the world from the start of the 20th century to the present day. The intro and appendices do much to enhance the academic argument of the work, but again, better to review in hard copy/e-copy to reference back to the thesis. Does tend towards dryness at times. Hard copy would rate higher.

[Rubli Carran · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, the book is good. however it misses some key factors influencing revolutions. For example, it did not discuss the poor agricultural policies introduced by Chairman Mao, nor did it discuss the USSR's influence in the Korean War. It also did not discuss Ethiopian murders of Eritreans. There are many missing factors that make it a good summary, but not detailed enough. Cambodia was good. The Taliban section did also not look into taliban influences happening more currently enough. I also think applying scientific formula to a humanity subject is a bit far fetched. but other than that, it's pretty good.

[Pablo Valle · Rating 5 out of 5]

both the phenomenon of revolution and that of dictatorships have challenged societies turning them into great black holes: do dictatorships beget revolutions or do revolutions beget dictatorships?
But this book poses an answer: not everything we thought was a revolution is.

Not all eggs were chicken eggs, and not all chickens were chickens.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want everyone to read this.

[Kavinay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dense survey of 20th century revolutions, yet Levitsky and Way still compose an interesting thesis of regime change sweetspots.

[Lottie C · Rating 4 out of 5]

levitsky is an icon of political science, and this is book is true to form

[Samantha Zarate · Rating 4 out of 5]

WHAT AB VENEZUELA

[Andrew Steele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well researched, but I found it repetitive and slow. The historical data was interesting.

[Bob Buice · Rating 3 out of 5]

This work is well researched, providing a tremendous stash of information. It would be and excellent reference or perhaps a text for an advanced course in political science. I will continue to refer to it as I encounter any of the discussed events in other readings. However, it is not a pleasant read - too much information , too fast. It is like reading an encyclopedia.