Cooperation between Parliamentary and Extra-parliamentary Opposition in Autocratizing Regimes

The literature on opposition to autocratization (processes of change towards authoritarianism) is expanding swiftly and one of its preliminary findings suggests that the more a regime moves towards authoritarianism, the more opposition is forced out of institutions, such as legislatures. This means that parliamentary groups could resort to extra-institutional measures (e.g. boycotts, street protests, etc.) as their institutional opportunities decrease. Simultaneously, extra-parliamentary actors such as media, civil society organizations (CSOs), social movements, and individuals become crucial forces in countering autocratizing governments.
While our empirical knowledge is growing, we still lack systematic analysis of successful and unsuccessful cooperation attempts between parliamentary and extra-parliamentary opposition in autocratizing regimes. How does ‘deparliamentarization’ due to autocratization impact the activities of the parliamentary opposition? Which alliances between parliamentary and extra-parliamentary opposition are sustainable in countering autocratization and how can we conceptualize them? What motivates extra-parliamentary opposition to seek allies in institutional politics and vice versa? What happens to social movements when they enter institutional politics through elections? This panel seeks to further disentangle the institutional versus extra-institutional dichotomy and explore possible interlinkages. To this end, the panel is interested in the use of disruptive strategies, such as filibusters, parliamentary boycotts and brawls within legislatures once access to institutional tools becomes limited. Moreover, the panel accepts contributions focused on the connection between social movements and broader civil society with legislatures, for example, through instances of strategic recruitment or party formation. Last, but not least, the panel is interested in the exploration of coordination between parliamentary and extra-parliamentary actors amid campaigns of resistance against autocratization.
We welcome both comparative perspectives and in-depth case studies of parliamentary and extra-parliamentary opposition within political regimes experiencing democratic backsliding or authoritarian deepening. We invite scholars with qualitative and quantitative approaches to contribute insights from different regions to enrich the discussion. Finally, we encourage a debate on concepts of opposition to autocratization, such as resistance and democratic resilience, and invite scholars to reflect on the evolution and application of these concepts across different political systems.