Autocratic Political PR vs. Democratic Political PR: Comparative Studies in Regional and Global Settings

In an era marked by rising autocratization and increasing polarization, the role of political public relations (PPR) has become more critical and more complex than ever. This panel explores the contrasting approaches of autocratic and democratic regimes in their public relations efforts, with a particular focus on regional and global settings where these opposing systems intersect and influence public opinion.
Autocratic regimes increasingly use PPR to legitimize their governance, manage internal dissent, and project power internationally. These efforts often involve controlling narratives, suppressing dissent, and manipulating information to maintain regime stability. In contrast, democratic PPR typically aims to promote transparency, uphold human rights, and build public trust through engagement and accountability, although it also faces challenges in polarized environments where misinformation and citizen disenchantment are on the rise.
This panel invites comparative studies that examine these divergent PPR strategies in various contexts. We welcome analyses of case studies that highlight how both regime types frame key issues, manage crises, and influence audiences domestically and internationally. Topics may include PPR tactics around voter suppression, digital misinformation, crisis communication, and the role of PPR in shaping citizens’ views on governance.
By bringing together insights from political science, communication studies, and international relations, this panel seeks to deepen our understanding of how PPR functions as both a tool of democratic resilience and a weapon of autocratic influence. Through comparative analyses, we aim to illuminate the ways in which political PR both resists and reinforces the trends of autocratization and polarization shaping today’s global landscape.
We invite papers that explore these themes to contribute to a dynamic discussion on the role of PPR in either supporting democratic values or advancing autocratic agendas in polarized societies worldwide.